6
Wyatt
2008
“Life is like dancing with an inexperienced partner. You stumble, a few toes are trampled in the process, but when you get into a rhythm, there’s no telling what magic can be created.” — Wyatt
An audible gaspfrom behind me has me turning on my heels and rushing forward. I tackle the person running toward me to the ground.
“Fuck!” A female voice cusses, and I instantly loosen my grip on her. “You scared the shit out of me!”
“And you didn’t scare me?” She pushes off her hoodie, and my heart stops for a second.
“Bella?”
“Wyatt, oh God!” She jumps into my arms, holding me close, and I swear I’m dreaming. Wisps of her hair are in my face and nose, and I breathe in the scent of honeysuckle. It’s almost dizzying. I still have her pinned to the ground, her arms wrapped around me.
She lets go, and the grin on her face has me floored. I wish I could kiss her right here.
“You’re home,” she whispers. I get off her and push up to stand, dusting myself off.
She sits up, and I offer her my hand. She takes it, and I pull her up easily. She’s in a pair of yoga pants and a hoodie with gym shoes on. I assume she’s been running.
“Yeah. Had to see the folks. It’s been a while.”
“Yeah, two years is a pretty long time…” She trails off but smiles at me brightly a second later, “I’ve tried to keep an eye on them for you. I’m sure they’ll be thrilled you're home.”
I nod. An awkward silence rests between us. There is so much we’d left unsaid. So much I need to say to Hayley that I can’t express in those letters. How do you maintain a relationship with someone miles away through a couple of notes?
The last thing I wanted was for her to wait for me. She was young, beautiful, had the world at her feet. She should not wait around for me. This was the life I chose, and I did not expect her to turn her dreams upside down for me. That didn’t stop the fact that my heart ached right now from just looking at her, or that I want to take her in my arms and make her promise she’ll always be mine.
“You run at a pretty odd hour.” It’s just an observation, and it has her wrapping her arms around herself.
“Yeah, I needed to clear my head. This is still the safest town in Washington, you know.” She starts to rock on her heels. It’s odd how I know she does that when she’s nervous.
“You can’t be too careful,” I tell her.
“Always the pessimist, Wy.” She grins.
How many nights have I dreamed of her calling me that again? Hearing that voice that makes me want to peel each layer of clothing off her sexy body. How many moments have I imagined her smile and the way she looked at me like what I was saying was the most exciting thing in the world?
“I should get inside.” I start backing away toward my trunk to retrieve my bag. “It’s good to see you, Hayley Bella.”
“I’ll see you around,” she says with a small wave.
I shut the trunk and start walking toward the house. I notice she hasn’t moved. I turn and wave. She smiles as she crosses the threshold of our youth, and within a few minutes, she disappears into her house.
I turn the key in the lock as quietly as I can. The house is dark when I step in, and I know my folks are in bed. I don’t want to wake them. I take the stairs two at a time and enter my childhood bedroom, closing the door behind me and making my way into the room. I leave the lights off and make my way to the window, looking at the house next door, bag still in hand.
“You shouldn’t sneak out of the house so late, Bella. What is wrong with you?” I rub my sleepy eyes. We are sitting on her porch swing, her head resting on my chest.
“I don’t want you to leave. Not now.”
I wrap my arm closer around her.
“What if you never come back?”
“I always will; you’re here, aren't you?”
