Now, I’m back at the Inn, knocking on his door. Impatiently waiting for him to open up. My cell phone in my back pocket has been going off the entire time, and I know it’s been Bennett. There was no way we were having this conversation over the phone. In some way or the other, he’d attempt to appease me. That wouldn’t stop the deep, dark, and plaguing thoughts that I know would continue to fester in my heart, mind, and soul.
“Fuck’s sake, what is it!” Bennett opens the door, my fist still raised to bang on it.
“Surprise?” I squeak out. Jolie stopped me on my way in to tell me Bennett was pissed as hell, ranting and raving, stomping around like a child. Rage finally sent him to his room. I was gone a total of one hour, and he thought he could go to Texas without me.
“Christ, Shila, where have you been?” I hold out my small bag that I used to go to the cabin, showing him what I’ve been doing.
“Packing. If you think you’re leaving me, I’m going with you,” I tell him.
“Fuck, I think I’ve lost ten years of my life. I thought somethin’ was wrong. Was about to call in the troops from Texas.” His hands cup the nape of my neck. I drop my bag, and my hands move to his wrists and hold on to them.
“I’m sorry. I, uh... kind of overheard you were leaving and kind of went ham. I can do my classwork online, and Jolie said my job would still be here when we got back.” I’m hopeful Bennett doesn’t push me away and make me stay for the sake of school.
“You’d do that for me? Stop your world and go to Texas?” I nod, words getting clogged in my throat. “If I’ve done one thing in this world that’s worth my salt, it’s lovin’ you, butterfly.”
“Bennett Jacob Futch, you are so worthy, more than anything. I would follow you to the ends of this earth to have your love, to be in your presence. You are my everything.” I launch myself into his arms. Bennett doesn’t miss a beat, wrapping his arms around my body, lips fusing together, soft, sweet, and loving, with such tenderness I think sometimes we forget when we’re caught up in the moment, both of us making up for so much lost time that we’re always in a rush. That isn’t the case right now. A slow burn is building up inside of me, and when our kiss ends, our foreheads meet. Bennett’s heart is beating rapidly beneath the palm of my hand, right beneath his tattoo.
“I love you.” I peer into his eyes.
“Love you, butterfly. I guess this means you’re goin’ with me tomorrow. You sure you’re up for camping?” My eyes bulge at the thought.
“Um, when you say camping, care to specify?” I ask as he backs away, grabs my bag, and pulls me inside his room.
“The stars, the dark night, you and me in a sleeping bag.” What have I signed myself up for? This will surely be an adventure.
“Maybe I’ll stay here instead, you know, with a bed, electricity, no bugs or wild animals eating me,” I tease.
“Oh, you’re in for it now, and you’re coming.” Bennett comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, locking his fingers together, showing me how much it means to him that I’m taking this time to go with him.
“I am, but you’ll just have to listen to me complain.” I turn my head to look over my shoulder, seeing his dimple pop out when he grins.
“Pretty sure I can make it up to you.” And that’s what he does throughout the night, and when we wake up at the ass crack of dawn in the morning, he’s still grinning like the cat got the canary.
19
SHADOW
“Between you and your bike, I think my inner thighs are going to be sore for all of eternity.” Shila pressed up against my back all day today was fucking torture and complete bliss all at once. The smile she had on her face, the wind blowing her hair in every direction, Shila was a wind-blown mess by the time we made it here. A piece of me felt bad choosing to camp at first, then, once we were lying in bed last night at the Inn, Shila admitted it would be fun and that she’d never been before. And sure, we could have made it to Ely in one shot, but that would defeat the purpose of camping. Not only that, I saw the way Shila was when we stopped for gas and she got off the bike. Her gait was slow, and she winced. I hated like hell that we couldn’t stop for the day, but it was only noon. I at least wanted to hit the halfway mark before stopping.