My gaze fell from his. “We have until the end of the year.”
“Yeah,” he murmured. I couldn’t see his face, but I could tell he was weighing his words and thoughts carefully by the way his fingers clenched and unclenched around mine. “My family gets together a lot on the weekends, especially now.” He paused, and then blurted, “I’d like it if you came. Not all of the time. I haven’t been going myself these last few weekends.” He shifted so that my body leaned heavily against his. “I wouldn’t quit doing the work I started here. It would just be a family gathering or two. Maybe more time at the creek?”
My heart did odd somersaults in my chest. “It depends on my uncle … but I’ll come.”
Our fingers fell apart, and his hand found my face. Lifting my chin, he searched my gaze before dropping a gentle kiss on my lips. “Just remember, Hawthorne. Rough roads are often easier to travel with someone who knows the road.”
I frowned. “At some point the road is going to end.”
He didn’t disagree. “Yeah … it will.”
Chapter 14
By morning, Heathcliff was gone, the empty place in the bed next to me and my sore body a reminder of something new, incredible, different, and scary. I’d had sex with Max Vincent. I’d shared more with him than I’d shared with anyone, and the fear was creeping in, doing its best to convince me I’d been wrong to trust him. My gut told me my fear could screw itself.
Outside, the sun sparkled on frost—January quickly dissolving into February—and I stumbled out of bed, blushing at the sight of the blood on my sheets before rushing to the shower. Clean and dressed for school, I tore the linens from my bed, rolling them up before replacing them with the spare sheets I kept in the top of my closet. The soiled ones I took to the laundry room, pushing the white fabric down into the washing machine before pouring in bleach.
“A little early for chores, isn’t it?” Uncle Gregor called from the kitchen.
I jumped, the top of the washing machine slamming shut, the sound too loud in the still morning.
“Do you ever sleep anymore?” I called back.
His chuckle followed, the laugh stopped short by a groan.
I made my way to the kitchen, my feet stopping just beyond the alcove, my gaze finding my uncle’s stooped back. He sat at the table, his head bent, a hand rubbing the back of his neck. Dark circles marred his eyes. A steaming cup of coffee sat in front of him, the smoke curling upward like wicked fingers ready to strangle him.
“Do you need me to stay home?” I asked.
Uncle Gregor glanced up at me, a weary smile curling his lips. “It’s going to get worse, Hawthorne. Much worse.”
A lump formed in my throat, and I swallowed past it, my hand falling to the table. “I’m here,” I promised.
His grin remained, his hand patting mine. “Always and forever. Now go to school. I’m going to make some phone calls about the care the doctor talked about before I can’t anymore.”
His strength humbled me, his perseverance something I’d forever strive to match.
“For my sake,” he added, saying the three words I’d never be able to say no to. Our words. “Go.”
“Call the school if you need me,” I demanded.
He nodded, and I left, my feet carrying me into the frosty morning, the air crisp and wet. It clung to me, the clean feel of it on my skin and tongue heavy and rejuvenating.
Birds pushed through the trees, their calls a heavy cry in my ears. My feet kept moving forward, never stopping. If I paused, they’d turn back.
My body actually sagged with relief when I caught sight of the school, my thighs and body more sore than I thought they would be, my mind an exhausted mess of emotions. I spied Heathcliff’s truck in the parking lot, my heart jumping at the sight of the dull red vehicle.
“Hey, Hawthorne!” a voice called out as I entered the building.
My head shot up, my eyes meeting Rebecca Martin’s curious gaze.
She fell into step next to me. “So, you and Max, huh?”
“Me and Max?” We’d reached my locker, and I pulled it open, grabbing two books and a binder.
She watched my hands before glancing at my face. “I mean, after he came with you to the creek, we all just assumed—”
“We’re together,” Heathcliff’s voice interrupted. His shadow loomed over me, a protective mountain at my back. “In case anyone was wondering,” he added.
Rebecca’s eyes twinkled. “I thought as much. You know me. Nosy Rosy and all that.” Her gaze flicked from his face to mine. “If you ever get tired of him, you should think about joining me for a trip to the mall or something. It’s kind of nice having someone new around.”
Her words were kind, her eyes equally serious. I kept searching for the malice in her tone but found none.
“Yeah … okay,” I replied.
She grinned. “Well, I’ll see you second period,” she said before glancing at Max, “and you in last.”