Broken Without You

CHAPTER 13

Emily's pov

Now that I know I'm going to see Axel after my shift, the day seems to be moving slower.

The customers take too long to order, the drinks are taking longer to make.

What is going on with me?

After what feels like the longest shift I have ever had, I go to the back and text Axel.

Emily: Hey Axel, can you come get me?

Axel: Sure, I'll be there in ten minutes.

I smile put my phone away and gather my stuff.

"Emily honey how have you been?" Mrs. Reed asks and enters the room.

"Oh I'm very well Mrs. Reed, and how are you?" I smile and ask.

"I'm great." She returns my smile.

"So don't mind me, but I couldn't help but ask who that boy who dropped you off today was?" She asks curiously.

My cheeks heat up, what am I gonna tell her?

"Because if he is your boyfriend, you have very good taste." She winks.

She is such a sweet woman. But it's odd talking to her about stuff like this...

"Oh no, he's not my boyfriend, he's just a friend." I reply awkwardly.

"A friend who you happen to like?" She raises her perfectly plucked eyebrow and asks.

"Umm... to be honest, I actually don't know if I do yet." I murmur.

I can't believe I'm actually here talking about my potential feelings for my British neighbor with my boss.

"Aww sweetheart we've all been there, you just have to open your heart and not be afraid." She looks in my eyes and squeezes my hand.

"That's the thing Mary... I am afraid. He told me he doesn't date, but he's so sweet and nice. I'm afraid I'm the only one who's going to catch feelings, and ruin this sort of friendship thing we have going on right now." I say.

"Oh that's what they all say!" She says.

"John said those exact same words to me when we first met." She laughs, seemingly remembering their youth.

"And look at us now, we're happily married!" She exclaims.

"Maybe you're right." I say and laugh.

"I'm going to-" I get interrupted by the loud sound of a motorcycle stopping outside the shop.

"That's your cue." Mrs. Reed smirks.

I hug her, say goodbye and exit the shop.

When Axel sees me he hands me my helmet.

"Ready?" He asks.

"Yes." I reply and get on.

"Hold on tight." He says. He holds my hands and tightly wraps it around his waist.

Butterflies flutter in my stomach, and I blush.

But those butterflies immediately migrate from my body when he starts the engine and takes off.

After about half an hour of driving later we stop. I look around and panic.

We are surrounded by wilderness. Trees of all shapes and sizes are around us.

I can hear the faint chirping of crickets, and occasional hooting of owls from the distance.

The moon is shining brightly in the night sky, illuminating the clearing we are in.

From where we're parked we have a view of the whole city. Cars zooming past each other and lights from high office buildings scattered left and right can be seen.

I get off the motorcycle and Axel does the same.

"What are we doing here? This isn't my house." I say, panic evident in my voice.

"I accidentally found this clearing after I dropped you off at work." He said, darting his eyes at the ground, then back up at me.

"But why did you bring me here?" I ask and furrow my brows.

"I don't know, I found it beautiful and thought you might like it." He looks at the view and chews on his bottom lip.

My lips part in shock.

He saw this amazing place and thought about bringing me here?

I don't know what made do what I did next. Maybe it was being shocked by his kind gesture, or from my talk with Mary earlier.

But I stepped closer to him and quickly wrapped my arms around his neck, engulfing his huge figure in my small arms.

He tenses slightly, but after a few seconds he wraps his arms around my waist and returns my hug.

"Thank you for bringing me here, it's beautiful." I murmur in his neck, my voice muffled.

But he hears me.

"You-you're welcome Emily." He says and I feel his arms tighten around me.

After a couple minutes of being in each other's embrace, we let go.

I can't help but look around some more. I walk further into the clearing, stop a few steps away from the edge of a cliff, and take in the sight in front of me.

I hear Axel's footsteps stop behind me.

"Hey Emily?" Axel asks.

"Hmm?" I reply, not wanting to take my eyes off of the view in front of me.

"Want to see something even better?" He asks, sounding embarrassed.

I turn around and raise a brow. He has something better to show me?

"What could possibly beat this beautiful view?" I ask.

"Come, I'll show you." He turns his back and enters a path I didn't notice before, hidden behind long branches of trees.

"Hey wait for me!" I shout and go after him.

"Don't you think this could be dangerous?" I ask, worried that something might happen.

He stops and turns around to face me.

"Do you trust me?" He asks, his eyes boring into mine.

I don't even have to think about it. His shimmering eyes under the night sky make me feel all types of emotions at once.

And I knew the day I got on his motorcycle, was the day I started trusting him.

I look up at him, taking in his serious expression, his eyebrows are knitted and his forehead furrowed.

"I do." I smile.

His lips twitch. He takes my hand and we continue, walking deeper into the path.