Hearing the crickets around us while darkness surrounds us, I tighten my legs around him and relax. Right now, these moments are what I love the most. Just us in each other's arms.
“Thank you for the wonderful night, Leonidas,” I whisper, feeling my heavy eyes close.
“It’s my pleasure, rock star. Anything for you.” A couple minutes pass before he breaks the silence. “By the way, I’m throwing out the gift Harper gave you.”
I can’t help but laugh against his skin. “Who needs that when I have you?”
“God, I love you,” he whispers while chuckling. “How is it possible to love someone this much?”
Running my hands through his hair, I shrug my shoulders. “Love is a scary thing.”
As we sway slightly in the water together, his voice rasps out, “Love might scare the shit out of some people, but whenever I’m with you, I don’t feel the least bit scared.”
FORTY-SEVEN
TRINITY
Ihave exactly three days left with Leonidas. It physically pains me to think of how I won’t see him every day anymore.
I’m so used to having him in my life. I depend on him … and now, that’s all being taken away from me suddenly. I don’t know whether to cry or yell up at the sky.
We’ve spent every single second of each day together. I finishedTwilightwhile he read at his own pace. We made love under the stars—that was a dream of mine. I played basketball with him and slam-dunked a ball with his help. Yesterday, he took me out for ice cream. I looked around the parlor with tears. Thankfully, the table we’d first sat at was available. I ran over to it with him in hand, and we relived all the memories we’d made there.
The thought of him being a jerk to me now makes me laugh. Who would have known the mysterious guy who acted all tough and cool at first loves getting his hair played with?
I never used to believe in soul mates. But as I stared at him in front of me, I realized no one could make me this happy. He’s the only one who’s ever made me feel total bliss, happiness, and love, all at once. His gaze radiates like the sun. He fills my heart and feels like a warm hug on a chilly day.
I live and breathe for this guy.
Tears cloud my vision as I think about how many miles we will have between us. I don’t know how I’ll be able to live normally without him by my side. He keeps me going and encourages me throughout the day. I don’t want to live a single second of the day without him, but I guess I’m being forced to. I know I’ll feel absolutely empty inside. I’m preparing myself for what’s coming in three days.
I wipe the moisture from my eyes when a knock sounds at my door. “Come in.”
Mom pokes her head into my room and frowns when she sees my face. Opening the door further, she eyes me carefully. “I was just coming in here to tell you I was leaving for work.” She pauses. “Why are you crying?”
I let out a shaky sigh and glance down at my lap. “Leonidas has to go back home in three days.” I almost break down at my own words. They hurt even more when I say them out loud.
Realization crosses her face as she strides over to me. Gripping my face in her hands, she whispers, “I’m sorry, love. That must be very hard.”
Tears trail down my face at a fast pace now. I would usually feel embarrassed, crying in front of Mom, but under her motherly gaze, I feel a sense of comfort.
“It hurts, Mom.” My voice breaks with emotion. “It hurts so much, and he hasn’t even left yet.”
Wiping a tear away, she glances at me with sadness. “Knowing something that will upset you is coming closer and closer is the worst. You try to make yourself ready, but no matter what you do, you can’t prepare yourself.” She pauses and lets out a sigh. “You have to come to terms with it all. I know it’s going to be hard. Everything in life is hard, but if you two are really meant for each other, then everything will work out in the end.”
I hope Mom’s right. I can’t afford another heartbreak. I know we’ll work out. I usually get a gut feeling if something doesn’t feel right. Right now, I have no doubts we’ll survive the long-distance … but it’s scary, thinking I won’t be there for him if he needs me.
What if he gets random urges to take pills? Will he be able to fight off the addiction without someone there, supporting him? I know he won’t be alone. He’ll have Athena, Elijah, and Amelia, but sometimes, you put on a face for your family. I, for one, know he doesn’t share his feelings with his family because he’s told me so.
I’ll drive myself crazy with all these questions. I just need to chill out until he leaves.
“What are you doing here?” Mom asks with a small smile. “Go be with him before he leaves.”
Not even giving it a second thought, I jump up at her words. I’m going to Leonidas. I don’t care if he’s tired of seeing my face every single day, which I know he isn’t … but I’m still going to bother him.
Grabbing my phone before I leave, I smile over my shoulder at Mom.
Taking the stairs two at a time, I slam our front door closed once I’m through. I run across our lawn to his with a sudden smile on my face. Whipping his back door open, I scare Amelia and Elijah, where they sit at their kitchen table. Jumping out of their seats with mouths wide open in shock, they place their hands on their chests.
