And…that's where I'm done.
Laney:I'm sorry.
That’s the last thing I type before I shut my computer lid and shove everything into my bag.
My breathing grows heavier and I start to panic. My hands shake as I try to do up the zipper to my backpack.
"Laney!" Maverick hisses under his breath.
I get up, bag over my shoulder and walk out. The teacher shouts out, telling me to come back. My head drifts to the right and I see the disappointment on Alec's face before I walk out the door.
. . .
I don't stay and see out the rest of my classes.
My hands shake violently the whole way home. I open and shut the gate to the clearing in a daze.
My Hilux is driven straight under the huge tree in the centre of the clearing.
Feeling trapped in the tight space of the cab, I stumble out, pushing my door open. I lean my hands against the bonnet and take deep shuddering breaths between my shoulder blades.
Five days. Fivefuckingdays and legally he can’t get me.
Is somebody hurting you, Sweetheart?
A whimper rises in my throat as tears burn my eyes.
"Hey," a voice says out of nowhere and I swerve around, my fingers itching towards the concealed blade in my jeans.
A tall lean guy steps out of the tree, leaning against it.Where did he come from?He shoves his hands into his pockets and his eyes burn into mine.
Why is the population of hot guys in this town suddenly plus six? The boys, or for lack of better word, men, around here are all straight-haired mullets.
His wary smile turns to a frown. “I didn’t meant to startle you.”
"Who are you?” I take a subtle step back. “What are you doing here?"
Mischief twinkles in his bright green eyes, blond hair adding to his devil-may-care persona. He tilts his head in the direction of the house you can just make out through the trees.
"Cooped up," he responds. My confusion must be obvious because he clues me in. "My friends and I just moved into Hannah Beckham's house. I'm her grandson."
"Oh." I don’t really know what to say so I add, "I thought maybe she'd sold it but, um, that's good."
Luc smirk ever so slightly at my awkward response before studying my face. "Are you okay?”
He seems to really be asking. I’m not sure what it is, if it’s because he’s just a smoke show or my mind knows something I don’t but I want to answer him truthfully.
"It's just been a long day,” I murmur. His viridescent eyes and tanned skin make him look almost exotic.
It must come across different to my intent because Luc frowns like something's just occurred to him. "Uh, my apologies,” he says slowly, “It’s none of my business and I'm trespassing.” He exhales and stands up straight, off my car.
"No," I rush out when he goes to leave. He stops and hooks a thumb on his jeans pockets, shifting his weight like he's uncomfortable.
I bite my lip before relenting.
"It's fine," I tell him. "I've been driving past your grandmother's house at ridiculous hours—I can handle a bit of tree climbing. Just, um, maybe stay around here? My father,” I force out, “won't be happy if someone's here," I say awkwardly.
He nods. Like he knows, there’s recognition and mutual sadness in his buried eyebrows. He rubs his hip subtly.
