If Only She'd Loved Him

Chapter 71

Saturday 5:40 pm

Not wanting to ruin any crucial evidence, Jean clutched the note in her hands by one corner.  Rain played a staccato beat on the roof of her car, straining her nerves to their limit.

Matt took his eyes off the road, half-smiling at her.  "She'll be okay," he assured her.  "She's a smart girl.  Smart enough to get a note out without Erik knowing about it.  I'm sure she's fine."

"But what if she's not?" Jean protested.  "I'm really worried.  Can't you drive faster?"

"Through this rain?  No."  Jean didn't like his answer, but said nothing.  He could see her foot clench and unclench against the floor of the car, willing it to go faster.  "Look, try not to think about Megan.  Right now we need to get to the lake so we can get some reception.  Keep your eyes peeled for the turnoff.  We want Route 25 going east."

"Keep my eyes peeled?" she asked.

"It's just an expression.  It means to look hard."

"Oh, okay." Jean got quiet for about a minute, then spoke up again.  "How long after the turn-off?" she demanded.

"About a half-hour."

"That's too long." She glanced at her watch, frowning as the hand swept upwards.  "I thought you said this place was about an hour away from campus."

"I was wrong.  Not to mention we did stop back there for a while.  We'll get there.  Relax.  Think about the note."  Matt backtracked fast.  "Think about what Sean said.  Erik loved her.  He's not going to hurt her.  I'm sure she's just scared."

Jean sighed back into her seat.  "You're right.  I don't think he'd hurt her, but then I never thought he'd kidnap her either."

"Jean, at the moment, there's nothing we can do.  Just tell me if you see the turnoff.  It's murder out there with all that rain.  I can't see anything."

Matt squinted as he turned the headlights up to full.  The square green sign caught his eye—just as they passed it.

"Damn!  Was that it?"

She shook her head. "I couldn't tell."

"We'll have to go back, hold on." 

Matt spun the wheel hard, attempting to do a U turn in the middle of the road.  The wheels caught and locked, skidding on the asphalt.  Jean screamed.  She threw her hands at the dash doing her best to hold on.  Matt fought the wheel, then hit the brake pedal, pumping it furiously.  Jean's little car ignored the message.  It executed another perfect circle spin before coming to a stop on the other side of the road.  She and Matt were thrown towards the windshield, then yanked back by their seat belts.  Stuck in a ditch, the car spun its wheels in vain.

Slowly, Jean opened her eyes.  The strap of her seatbelt cut into her chest.  Feeling around, she pressed the release button.  Gratefully, she fell forwards.  Next to her, Matt groaned.

"Matt, I'm okay.  Are you?"

Turning his head, he gave her a weak grin.  "Yeah, I'm fine."  His lip was bleeding from where a tooth had cut through his mouth, but otherwise he was in good shape.  He ran his tongue around the blood, tasting the wet salt. "That was a dumb thing to do," he said, deciding it would be better to get Jean's fury out of the way.  Maybe she'd be understanding, he thought to himself. Not a chance.

"It sure was."  Never one to offer mercy, she didn't start now.  "What in the world did you do my car?  You could have killed us with that stunt!" she yelled.  "Jesus, couldn't you find a spot to pull over like a normal person!"

"I was thinking about your roommate," he replied through gritted teeth.  "I was trying to get to a phone that works since yours is useless up here.  I fucked up, OK?" 

"Forget it."  For Jean, that was an apology.  "What we need to do now is to get out of here."

Matt switched the car into reverse, but the rear wheels just spun, getting no traction up in the air.  Climbing out of the car, he checked it over.  From what he could see through the rain, the damage was minimal, a few scratches along the paint.  But they were in a ditch at about a thirty degree angle.  Jean's car was going nowhere without a tow truck.  Soaking wet, he got back into the car.  He slammed the steering wheel with his fist.

"We're stuck.  Damn, now I really wish your phone worked!"

Despite the wind that tried to blow her back inside, Jean unlocked her door and slid out the passenger side.  She tried to ignore the rain beating into her face, but after a few feet, she had to squint even to see the car.  Matt crawled across the seat and pushed his head out the door.

"Hey," he yelled. "Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm going to take a look around," she called back, trying to make her voice heard over the wind.  "Maybe there's a house somewhere."

"Jean, it's raining cats and dogs out there!" he protested.

She leaned back into the car, dripping water all over.  "I can't just sit here."

"Not for long, but this storm's too rough, it's not safe." Thunder cracked, emphasizing his point.  She hesitated as Matt patted the seat.  "C'mon, it has to slow down soon.  Let's just give it a few minutes.  Look at you.  You're soaked through."

Teeth starting to chatter, Jean climbed back inside.  "So are you," she said as she shut the door.

Her teeth kept on chattering as she sat there. Matt reached an arm over to bring her close, but then he drew back. "You're soaked. You've got to take the sweater off at least, try to get dry."

Jean hesitated, but gave a little half nod. In the meanwhile, Matt cranked the heat up to its highest.  He lowered his window a crack, then stripped off his own sweater.

"You'll get too wet," she protested.

"Can't be helped.  I don't want us to get carbon monoxide poisoning."

"At least sit closer to me and get away from the rain."

Matt hips slid closer. to hers  She shivered, curling herself deep into his arms.  Her damp hair brushed up against his chin.  Rain spiked on her lashes, emphasizing the deep amber color of her eyes as she stared up at him.  Tiny hairs were starting to grow on his chin, make it rougher.  It hardened his appearance, but that was a good thing.  With his pale blonde hair and razored cheekbones, Matt could almost look feminine.  There was no mistaking the fact that he was male now.  Jean grazed her cheek against his chin on purpose just to feel his rough skin on hers.  Rain beat incessantly on the rooftop.  The sound of the drops seemed to speak to her.  Now, now, go now! they said, Go, go now!  It's late! It's late, they warned.  It's late! Now, now, go now!!  But she couldn't go now, the car wouldn't move and Matt was so warm.  The night was cold.

"I'm s-s-so scared," she said to Matt, "s-so scared," she repeated, her teeth chattering away her words.  He pulled her further into his arms, shut out the sound of the rain with his touch.

"I'm here," he whispered back.  "You're safe.  You'll always be safe with me."

He laid his head on top of hers and said nothing more, just kissed the top of her head, so softly, so gently, that he barely rippled the hairs. She leaned up and slid his glasses away from his face. Eyes caught together, they kissed. Her lips quivered with heat and cold, her body began to shake. Matt didn't let go, decided he wouldn't let go, no matter what. He kissed her back gently, then pressed harder, his mouth feeling the ridges of her lips. Her beautiful lips, he thought. Jean felt his damp skin against hers. She only imagined the steam rising from their touch.

The kiss turned deep. His hands, her hands, it didn't matter who was touching whom, only that they were touching, feeling, seeking each other. His kiss travelled down her neck. Her hands slid up his shirt and pulled, freeing his chest. Her bra straps slipped down, his jeans, her jeans, all in a pile on the floor of the car. The seats leaned all the way back. The steam became real, flowed between the two of them, warming them past cold, past comfort, all the way to fire and flames, simmering, warm, giving flames.