Fated Connection (Book 1)

Chapter 7

After Nova's revelation, he locked himself in his room. He wouldn't talk to me or even come out but I knew he was in there from the movement I heard every now and then. I called in to work that night hoping I would get a chance to talk to him but that didn't happen either. While I was in the shower he took off, leaving a note and his keys on the kitchen counter.

Nev,
A friend picked me up.
Don't worry and don't wait
up for me. Be home tomorrow.
--Nova

I shook my head and got ready for work, deciding to go in anyway, wincing as I dressed. My body felt like one giant bruise. Don't get me wrong, I was glad Nova had used that strange elixir leaving my wounds nearly healed the next day, but I couldn't help but wonder about it. He hadn't really answered my question about it this morning. It had been just enough to keep me wondering and leave me worried.

I knew what it felt like to be abandoned. My birth parents had left me in the hands of a stranger with nothing but a letter and a necklace. They didn't even have the decency to find me a new family themselves. My adoptive parents had told me that a man had knocked on their door in the early hours of the morning with me in a wicker basket clutched tight in his arms.

They had never told me who the man was or anything else from that night other than they had loved me the moment they saw me. And they had, to the best of their abilities despite their many flaws. Sighing, I opened my drawer and pulled out the letter, the edges worn from being read so many times; the paper darker, lightly yellowed through the years. I knew the words by heart and yet I still slowly unfolded it and began to read.

Sweet Baby Girl,

I'm sorry that we have to let you go. It's the hardest thing I think I have ever and will ever do. I want you to know that your father and I love you more than you could possibly imagine, but alas, life is unfair. We live in a world that is unkind and unsafe; and I hope that someday we will see each other again. Circumstances have made this goodbye the best thing for you. You will be safe now. I would do anything for you, to see you smile, to keep you safe, even if it means giving my last breath. We love you, Nevada. Always and forever.

Until we meet again.

I traced my fingers over the words, the writing curvy and elegant; still beautiful even if the dark ink had faded. A pain begged to find it's way into my mind, but I pushed it away. I didn't know their reasons, other than it wasn't safe, but I felt like there was no excuse for leaving your child behind. Abandoning your baby in the arms of strangers for what? Fear? How was leaving a child alone in the world ever a good thing?

Blinking my eyes rapidly, I quickly cleared my vision as it blurred with unshed tears. Over the years, I had cried enough over these people that were strangers to me, their names I didn't even know. They didn't deserve my pain then and they don't deserve it now. I had bigger things to worry about.

●●●●

An hour into my shift, the bell above the door jingled causing me to look up from the counter where I was organizing receipts. My heart leapt into my throat and my mouth watered at the sight that greeted me.

There stood August Maines, his presence dominating the energy in the store as his silver eyes scanned the room before landing on me. His black hair was tousled, sticking up at odd angles. He had on a worn leather jacket over a plain charcoal gray shirt, dark faded jeans with a pair of motorcycle boots adorning his feet. Simple yet on him it oozed sex and power.

My mouth went dry and I licked my lips. I immediately looked away from him and tried to focus back on my task. It was nearly impossible to continue when I saw him move from the corner of my eye, making his way towards me. I held my breath as he stopped on the other side of the counter. Forcing myself not to look up or say a word, I felt his gaze on me causing heat to flood my cheeks.