“Because I can’t seem to stop.”
CHAPTER 20
CORALINE
I’m so bad at flirting. After I left Liam, I took a gamble on my dating life before I came to Sleepy Coldwater. I met a guy who worked at a law firm on an online app, and we matched. The date was going well, mostly because I let him do all the talking. Then, when I was about to break the ice with a joke, I got the appetizer potato soup in my hair when I leaned closer. I urgently grabbed the napkin from my lap, fully embarrassed, but when I took it off my lap and jetted it toward my hair frantically, I hit the ends of the table with so much force, the table lifted, causing his soup to fall all over his lap. Aaand, it was all downhill from there.
So when Gavin looks at me like this, full of desire and a hint of need—I don’t know how to handle it. His dark brows furrowed, his eyes sweeping over my lips and face. I’ve never met any man with beautiful blue eyes like his. His addictive, minty-cedar scent envelops me. All of it is a perfect, enchanting potion I don’t mind drinking even if it’s poisonous.
I need to get away from him because I’m not good at this anymore. I’ve been constantly put down so much by Liam and my ex-friends that my insecurities seem to always leak throughthe cracks of my built-up confidence. I don’t know how to accept when something feels good.
The snow will stop falling, and it’ll melt away. My time here has an end date.We both know that.
Standing up, I gather all the antlers around us, brush the snow off each one, and tuck them into the crook of my arm.
“I’ll keep looking for more antlers this way!” I squeak nervously, letting my thick curls hide my heated red cheeks.
“Sweetheart?”
Sweetheart.
That one word makes time come to a stop for me, only because it’s coming from Gavin.
“Coraline, wait.” His distant voice bristles and echoes through the trees. He rises slowly, almost tripping over his left leg. He regains his stance quickly, pasting his elbow on the tree for balance. I peer over my shoulder as I head towards the stables in the distance. He doesn’t chase after me, but only looks at me like he’s disappointed.
I hate that I’m a coward. I can tell cutting that moment off is bothering him, and I’m only proving his own point of feeling like he’s not worth getting to know when hetruly is. I’m just too scared to let myself get too close.
“It’s okay! I’ll keep looking. It’s getting dark already. We’ll be able to collect more of these if we split up anyway. I’ll meet you at the cabin in a few minutes!” I turn around, biting my lip nervously, and scrunch my nose, wanting so badly to facepalm.
I feel bad.
It’s a terrible excuse, but not exactly a lie. He takes it anyway and gives me space. He doesn’t force the moment. He lets me go, still holding a clenched jaw and a defeated look on his handsome face.
I keep walking, veering farther away from him and closer to the horses. The sound of running water catches my attention. It’s wide and shallow, running over all shapes of rocksand fallen tree branches. I’m surprised it isn’t frozen. The current is fast and strong, and the water is the darkest blue I’ve ever seen.
The grey sky darkens. It feels like an hour has gone by, and I haven’t found another antler. I guess my good luck charm is Gavin. I keep walking, scouring the snow, looking for a brown tip. I’m about to head back to the cabin when I spot one. I almost mistook it for a branch.
I grab the four-pointed antler and do a happy dance. Gavin will love this!
The sound of snow crunching interrupts my solo celebration. I smile, hoping to rub it in grumpy Gavin’s face playfully.
“Look what I got, Gavin.” I straighten my spine and watch clouds come out of my nose and mouth. “I told you splitting up was a good idea. I’m going to take this with me to Texas.”
I whip my head in its direction, lifting the antler as if it’s a diamond or gold bar.
“Do you think it’ll fit in my suit—” My grin immediately drops into a scared frown when I realize it isn’t Gavin.
It’s not the pack of wolves or a moose.
It’s the masked man from the night of the car crash. He’s covered head to toe in white, seamlessly blending in with the snow. He’s standing feet away, walking slowly toward me. Then, he’s sprinting fast like he’s on a mission and nothing will stop him.
I drop the antlers and make a beeline in the direction I last saw Gavin.
He’s here, and he’s going to kill me!
“Gavin!” I yelp. I hope he can hear me, and he’s not that far away. “Gavin! Help! Please!” I keep screaming until my throat feels like it’s going to bleed. With my body running cold, the footsteps grow louder and faster behind me. He’s right on my heels.
He is still here. I knew it, but no one believed me!
