She never said she was on birth control, and judging by the way we've been touching each other this morning, at some point we're going to need them.
Eli: LMAO! You have so much to tell me next time we have lunch.
Little does he know my mouth is shut. I never kiss and tell.
Nine
Paisley
I'm tucked into the side-by-side like I'm the younger brother from the Christmas Story, and I'm still cold. The wind blowing around us is not for the weak of heart. It's so loud the two of us can't talk to one another, and cold, so I've spent the time looking out at the surroundings. The land is beautiful, and I have to wonder if Chase owns all of this. One question I'll need to ask later.
For the first time in the last eight months, I'm at peace. My stomach isn't upset and my nerves aren't completely shot all the time. Being with him, and out here? It's given me a sense of calm I haven't had in way too long.
None of what's happened since Chase took me out of my car has been expected. When I woke up that morning, got in my car, and drove out to what I thought was an empty, abandoned field, I thought my life was over. I thought there would be no Paisley after that afternoon, and I was prepared for it. I wanted it. Life had made me so tired, and I felt like no one could see me, no one understood what I was going through, or even cared. It's been a prayer I didn't know I had to live these past few weeks with Chase.
We come around a corner, and start to slow down, that's when I see a truck in a clearing.
When we come to a stop, Chase gets out, and motions for me to do the same.
"How's it going Eli?" He asks the man leaning against the grill of his truck.
Eli is wearing a dark shirt, dark jeans, a black Carhartt jacket, and there's a badge clipped to his belt. It reminds me that I've never seen Chase's. Not even the day he saved me. I think it might have been around his neck, but I can't remember for sure now.
"Good." He grins as he looks over at me. "Who's your friend?"
Chase rolls his eyes when I look over at him. "Eli, this is Paisley, Paisley, this is my boss, Eli."
"Nice to meet you." I reach out, shaking his hand.
"Nice to meet you." I reach out, shaking his hand.
"The pleasure is all mine." His grin widens, and I can see why he and Chase are friends. He puts me at ease immediately. "So you're the one who's been keeping this guy company out at the cabin."
"She's been snowed in," Chase says quickly, and there's a tone in his voice I can't quite place. Protective maybe? "Bridge washed out. You know how it is"
"Uh-huh." Eli's eyes bounce between the two of us, and I get the distinct impression he doesn't believe Chase for a second. "Well, I brought everything you asked for. There's six weeks worth of stuff here."
Six weeks. The words hang in the air between us, and I feel my stomach flip. Six more weeks with Chase, cut off from the rest of the world. Six more weeks of this peace I've found, this calm that's settled over me like a warm blanket.
"Appreciate it." Chase moves toward the back of Eli's truck. "You didn't have any trouble getting everything?"
"Nope. Though the cashier at the grocery store did give me some curious looks when I bought out half their meat department. Had to tell them it was time to restock for you." Eli follows him, and I trail behind, feeling a bit like a third wheel. "Got everything on your list."
"Good." Chase starts pulling boxes out of the truck bed. "I'd like to get back before the weather turns."
The three of us work in silence, transferring everything from Eli's truck to the side-by-side. There's so much—boxes of canned goods, bags of rice and pasta, fresh vegetables that I know we'll need to use first, packages of meat, basic supplies that will keep us fed and comfortable for weeks. I've never seen this amount in one spot before, and the reality of it presses on my shoulders. We're going to be alone for a long time.
"This should hold you for a while," Eli says once we're done. He looks at me, his expression more serious now. "You doing okay out there? Everything good?"
I can feel Chase tense beside me, waiting for my answer. I could tell Eli the truth—that I wasn't okay, that I'm running from my pass, that maybe I need help. But that would mean leaving, going back to the world I tried to escape, and I'm not ready for that yet.
"Everything's good," I say, and I mean it. "Chase has been nothing but kind."
Eli studies me for a long moment, then nods. "Alright then. Chase, you've got my number if you need anything."
"I know."
"Good." Eli claps Chase on the shoulder. "Stay safe out there, both of you."
