“I have to get out of here.”
I was too horrified to say anything as she stepped past me and opened up her bag, ready to cram things into it. It took a couple of slow blinks and serious head shakes before I managed to get my faculties together enough to leap off the bed and stop her frantic movements.
Like hell I was going to let her leave me without a fight!
Chapter 26
ZACH
May 2014
“Dani, stop. What are you doing?”
“I’m leaving!” She threw her pants into her bag, before balling up her shirts and shoving them in the end.
“You can’t just run away.”
“Yes, I can. I have to.”
I crouched down beside her, gently touching her arm. “No, you don’t.”
With a huff, she threw her Converse on top of the bag and spun to face me. “You asked questions, Zach! People talk. Talk travels and then the wrong people hear!”
“I—” Licking my bottom lip, I pulled in a quick breath. “Okay, I’m not sure exactly what you’re trying to tell me here, but you don’t have to run from this. That kid from Balboa High told me a few stories, they weren’t even sure the photo was you.”
“And Peyton? How’d you find out about her?” The look of self-loathing that washed over her features told me everything.
I gently squeezed her arm and used the softest voice I could. “The waitress at the diner where I had lunch saw your photo.”
“And recognized me.” Dani shook her head and reached past me for her books.
I shifted, blocking her way.
“Move!”
“I can’t! I won’t!” I held her face, forcing her to look at me. “I can see how much you hate this life. This is your chance to stop running and get out.”
“I can’t just get out!”
“Why? What’s chasing you?”
Her blue eyes were luminous as they filled with tears. “My past,” she whispered, flicking my hands off and slumping to the floor. “There are things that have happened to me. Things I couldn’t control…” She pressed her quivering lips together and blinked at tears. It was heart wrenching to watch. I shoved my hands in my pockets, trying to perfect my words. I wanted to cover my desperation, yet still be loud and clear.
Crouching down in front of her, I kept my voice soft.
“You can’t let the past rob you of your future. You have so much life left to live. Don’t let it be dictated by whatever’s happened. You can’t let it beat you.”
Her eyes shot to mine, surprise flickering over her face.
I sat next to her, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. “You said you didn’t want to run anymore, so stay, graduate, be with me.”
Leaning her head against my shoulder, she sniffed and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “I don’t want to let it beat me,” she whimpered.
Breathing out a relieved sigh, I rested my cheek against her head and held her tight.
*****
We stayed that way until my butt was aching and my back was stiff. I felt like an old man as I pushed myself off the floor and pulled Dani up beside me.
Dani. Was that really her name?
It couldn’t be.
I licked my bottom lip, ready to ask her, when she blurted, “Are you hungry?”
A surprised snicker spurted from my mouth. “You seriously cook in here?”
“No.” She chuckled. “I slice.” She grabbed the knife from the door, flashing me a wincing smile before closing the door and moving into the kitchen area.
I waved my hand, indicating we could let that one slide. I watched her lithe body move around the small space. She was so elegant. She reached down for her bag and extracted two apples, a banana and a couple of carrots.
She began to chop the fruit, her graceful hair falling over her shoulder. I liked that it was getting longer. I moved towards her, tucking the hair back and lightly kissing her neck.
A soft moan slipped from her lips and I wrapped my arms around her waist, snuggling her body against me. Man it felt good to hold her. In her bare feet, she was just a little shorter than me. I propped my chin on her shoulder and watched her slice.
She handed a piece of apple up and I took a bite.
It was juicy and sweet, reminding me of her and making me want to kiss her all over again.
I would, as soon as this food was done. Dani looked ravenous, munching on the fruit as if it was the first thing she’d eaten all day.
“Is this your breakfast?” I pulled away from her, grabbing a segment of banana.
“Yeah.” She nodded.
Glancing back at the fruit and carrot sticks, I frowned. “You don’t eat a lot, do you?”
“I don’t know how to cook.” She shrugged. “And I can’t afford to buy too much. I’ve got to make my money last.”