Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 538(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Dash responded by extending his hand between us. It took a moment for me to understand he wanted me to hold it. Then another few seconds longer to get that he was rising, intertwining our fingers together.
“Let’s discuss this on the way home. I have cold bottles of water in the car for you. You weren’t easy to locate. There was a guy selling them on the side of the road who had seen you run like a bullet in this direction.” Though the guy holding my hand and speaking to me resembled Dash and shared his thoughtfulness, his tone conveyed a blend of sorrow, uncertainty, and frustration that Dash had never used with me before.
I followed because I had no other option. I was destined to always go wherever he led. The cool burst of air conditioning along with the cold leather seats, drew me in like a kid in a candy store. I reached for one of the two bottles, draining it in a few long gulps.
“Both bottles are for you,” Dash offered and reached for my hand again. He carefully pulled back into traffic, never once releasing me to navigate the streets. We covered many miles in silence.
I wanted to say something to ease his burden, to lighten the load he’d just been handed, but the words felt inadequate. Instead, I gripped his hand tighter. I’d be his life preserver for however long he needed me.
We’d come within a few miles of home before any more was said.
“You were right about everything in Sea Springs. I should’ve trusted your gut. I honestly had no idea they were capable of such a heinous act.” Dash raised a hand off the steering wheel, motioning his disgust. He shook his head before reaching to pull his sunglasses off. A tear trickled down his cheek. “I believed him when he claimed he’d tried to protect your grandparents and tried to intervene in your case. I accepted his inability to change the judge’s decision.”
“It’s not your fault,” I said, not liking where this was headed. “You can’t take the blame. We’re past that point—”
“It’s only my fault,” Dash interrupted sternly. “You were right all those years ago. Had we stayed hidden, had I not mentioned you to my father, had I read his responses properly…”
“Hidin’ is no way to live,” I said the truth that I’d discovered after returning to Dash. “We couldn’t have lasted that way. Let’s just be straightforward.” The words clogged my throat, refusing to be said until I forced them out. “I’ll take off tonight. I need you to promise to cash the check so I can take the truck.”
“Please don’t leave,” Dash said. His voice was small and pleading. I didn’t like to hear him that way.
“Your parents were serious, Dash,” I said, turning toward him. This was no time to be hardheaded. He had to see the reason. “You have no idea what it’s like to live without…”
“That’s not true. I managed my life without you,” Dash said.
“Not the same thing.”
“We won’t be without. I own my home. I have money in the bank. When I graduate, I will have a job. We might have to watch our spending, but we’re not destitute. And I have you.”
His explanation sat between us, resonating with previous conversations about the future. He’d just described the life he had always wanted.
“How can I be the one that separates you from your family?” I asked, covering all the bases as hope began to trickle in.
“You’re not. You’re the best person I’ve ever known. If they don’t want to be in our life, that’s their choice,” Dash said as he left the highway and came to the red light closest to his house.
He drew my hand between his. His gaze directly on me, imploring me to listen. “I’ll never be able to forgive what they did to you. If they hurt me, that’s one thing, but hurting you is unforgiveable. Never you. Please don’t leave me. Let me have the chance to make this right. I’m truly sorry.” His fresh tears were my complete undoing. I leaned across the console, drawing our hands toward my lips. I kissed him there then rose to place another one on his lips. My devotion to Dash was forever. Fear was certainly there. No, I didn’t see the vision of our future, but I’d help him like his presence helped me through my life.
The streetlight turned green, forcing Dash to let one hand go. My grip was stronger than ever. “You have nothin’ to make up for, Dash, but I want you to agree to always be honest with me. If there comes a time that I need to go, I’ll leave. Just tell me.”
Dash nodded, but his words were different then the agreement he’d given. “That’ll never happen. Not ever.”