by Alla Kar
“Drop her now.”
Tanner. Every single cell in my body flames, and I try to crane my neck to look at him. Michael turns with me still in his hands. “You think you’re going to save her, Tanner?”
Tanner’s eyes avert to my own. His shirt is torn, blood is stained down the front of his unbuttoned shirt. The hatchet I had earlier is in his hands. “I know I am, Michael.”
Michael snarls and drops me to the ground. Rocks dig into my skin, but I scoot away from him. Tanner’s dark hair has fallen in front of his eyes. Sweat pours from his forehead. I can’t imagine how fast he ran to get here.
Michael shakes his head back and forth. “She’s mine.”
“You’re goin’ to kill what’s yours? What sense does that make. Why kill her?”
“Because she took everything from me!” he shouts, ripping at his hair. “She took it all!”
Tanner nods. His Adam’s apple moves when he swallows. “You’re right. She did. But it was your own fault.”
Michael sneers and runs at Tanner. Tanner swings the hatchet but Michael jumps back just in time. They maneuver around each other, swinging and kicking. I can’t hear anything but the erratic beat of my heart and the water below. “The cops are on their way, Michael. It’s only a matter of time before they catch you again.”
He barks out a laugh and snatches his hat off his head. His dark hair is way longer than before. A slight blanket of hair covers his cheeks. “I got away once, and I’m sure I can do it again. They’re so fucking stupid. I had one of the janitors sneak someone in to replace me. He did a great job, too. I’m sure they’re still scratching their heads.”
That’s how he did it. It’s been him the entire summer, watching me like a tiger on his prey. I basically signed my own death certificate when I took this job.
Tanner eyes me and then the cliff. At first I think someone is behind me then I realize what he wants me to do. Jump. No. No. No. I shake my head a cry slipping from my lips. “Shut the fuck up!” Michael screams at me.
Tanner takes a swing at him and it cuts Michael’s chest. “Don’t fuckin’ talk to her like that. I’ll kill your ass.”
Tanner gives me another look. “You can do it,” he says, lowly.
Michael is trying to cover up the blood that’s seeping from his chest. He’s moaning and groaning. The blood soaking his shirt completely. I look at the guy that’s haunted my dreams for years. The man who tried to take my life… twice. I’m not going to be the victim anymore. I’m going to live.
Standing up on wobbly legs, I steady myself. “Don’t move,” Michael yells, stretching his bloody hand toward me. “I’m not finished with you yet.” The look in his eyes is pleading. He takes a swing at Tanner but misses. He’s losing a lot of blood. He’s dying.
With one last ounce of might, Michael turns toward me and runs. The determination in his eyes is frightening. He’s been waiting to kill me again. Tanner’s chasing Michael my way, trying to stop him. Everything is in slow motion. The moon beams down, lighting up the water, giving me the urge to jump.
Michael reaches forward, almost touching me. Turning, I lift my arms above my head and dive straight into the black abyss. His voice echoes against the cliff’s walls. It’s the only thing I hear as I fall forward. The water slices around me, and the stillness is back. The memorizing feeling of the water consumes me. I’m diving deeper and relishing in the coolness. Breaking from the water, I gasp for breath. The rapids against the small lake is hard and doing a great job of pushing me downstream.
I smile into the night. Tanner’s voice is loud and clear. “He’s gone. You’re safe, darlin’. You’re safe.” It’s all I need to hear. Bracing myself, I take that stroke of fear.
* * *
I’m warm. Such a difference from the cool summer water. Such a difference from running through the trees and begging for your life.
Blinking, I glance up at the white walls. The florescent lighting shines down on me. A steady drip sounds in my ear. I’m in a bed…not my cabin bed or my bed at home. “She’s awake,” I hear.
Why does that voice sound so familiar? Whose is it?
“Darlin’. Are you okay?”
Pushing past the pain, I open my eyes all the way. A bandage wraps around his forehead, and his arm is in a cast. “Tanner?” I ask.
He smiles and then he gets shoved out of the way. “Are you okay? I called your parents they should be here tonight. Can you see me?” Cassie snaps her fingers in front of my face a few times.
“Get out of the way,” I hear then Cassie is being picked up and moved. “Hey,” Eric says, leaning on the rail of the bed. “You okay? You look like… ouch. Stop it, Cassie.”
“You’re going to upset her. Don’t tell her that you asshat.”
A giggle rises from my throat. “Tanner.”
Tanner comes back up to me and smiles down. His rough fingers rub against my face, stroking my cheek. I’ve never seen anyone so beautiful before in my life. The blue specks in his gray eyes are bright today. “He’s dead?” I ask.
A frown tugs on his lips. “Yes. I killed him.”
Dead. Michael’s dead? I knew he’d die one day. But I didn’t think by my own boyfriend’s hand. “Don’t cry, baby.” Tanner cups my cheek and plants kisses all over my face. “It’s okay. You’re safe. Perfectly safe.”
“Can I talk to her?” I hear and then some more mumbles. I’m still too tired to lift my head, but when I feel a hand on my arm I know who is standing in front of me.
“Jake,” I say, my voice pained.
“It’s me. Are you okay?”
I nod and open my eyes wider. He’s looking down at me. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he asks. “I would have understood.”
“I know you would have. I’m sorry. I just… everything fell into place when I got here. I think I’m where I need to be.”
Jake smiles and pushes his dark blond hair from his face. “I think so, too. I hope you know I love you, Aubrey. I’ll probably always love you.”
I do know that. I know I love him, too. But the perfect man for me wears work boots and has a sexy southern drawl. I was always meant for him. We fit together like a puzzle piece. He was my missing piece. All I had to do was wait. Jake, Cassie and Eric all say their goodbyes. Mrs. Jones is having a panic attack with all the kids.
I cling to my blankets and stare up at the ceiling. “You there?” I ask into the silence.
“I’m here, darlin’.” Tanner steps into my vision and sits on the edge of the bed. Light brushes of his fingertips send warmth over me.
“I swam today.”
The huge smile on his face shows me he’s proud. “You did. Brilliantly. When the paramedics came to get you, they said they had to pry you out of the water. You wanted to float in the shallow end.”
I laugh and it burns my throat. “Does Michael’s mom know he’s dead?”
“Yes. The police called them.”
I sniffle. “He’s dead because of me.”
“No, he’s dead because of himself. Don’t blame yourself. He was going to kill you, Aubrey. Twice. You were meant to live. You escaped it twice.”
Nodding, I wipe at my eyes until they’re burning from the friction. “Tanner?”
“Hmmm?”
“I’m glad I met you.”
He brushes a stray tear from my face. “You’re right where you’re supposed to be, darlin’.”
Epilogue
Aubrey
“Put away those stupid signs, Cassie.”
Cassie pushes the tack into the way anyway, before turning to face me.
“No. I’m excited we’re home. I’ll hang them there until I’m ready to take them down.” She sticks her tongue out at me and glances back up at her sign.
Welcome home, Aubrey.
I groan. I was in the hospital for a week. I had a concussion, several scrapes and bruises. I was lucky.
“Plus, this should make you feel good. Doesn’t it feel better to be at home at our apartm
ent? I’ve missed you.”
I can’t help but smile and lean my head on her shoulder. “Cassie, you saw me every day this week.”
She waves me off and pulls her chestnut hair into a high ponytail. “Yeah, but now we can stay up late and watch Hulu. South Park anyone? The Walking Dead? Sleepy Hollow? One Upon A Time. The Vamp—”
“Okay. I get it. We have a lot of making up to do. But, you didn’t have to leave the camp early. I know you’re going to miss Eric.”
She rolls her eyes. “I did have to leave early and he can come see me whenever he wants. It’s not a big deal. But…” She trails off smiling at me. “You’re the lucky one who doesn’t have to wait to see yours.”
I play with a string on my jeans. “I’m glad. I don’t want to be without him, Cassie. It’s crazy. I’ve only known him a summer and I—”
Cassie lifts a brow. “You what?”
Through the opened window of our apartment I watch Tanner walk by. “He’s here. I’m so nervous? Why am I so nervous?”
Cassie has an amused smile on her face. “You’re in love. I’ll finish that for you. L.O.V.E. Get the hell over it!” She twitches toward the door and opens it before Tanner can knock.
Tanner lifts a brow and his gaze comes right toward me. “Come in,” I say. Tanner walks in and he looks over everything. A deep, healing scar runs along his forehead from the incident. He isn’t in his sling anymore and I’m glad. I love his hands. His hands are shoved down into the depth of his jeans pockets. A tight red shirt stretches across his broad chest and down to his slender waist. He looks good enough to eat.
With an outstretched hand, he offers it to me. “You look great, darlin’.”
Sliding my fingers through his, he pulls me closer. Fingers cling to the nape of my hair. “Okay. I’m going to my room now,” Cassie says. Neither of us move. We’re staring at each other. The mixture of his soap and breath turn my legs into Jell-O.
“Can we go to your room? I need to talk to you.”
About what? Good news? Bad? Is he going to jail for killing Michael? I know he said the police talked to him but I assumed it was fine. Self-defense and all that. He was trying to kill me. There is so much I want to say, but I bite my lip and lead him to my room. It smells the same. My bed is neatly made. There are a few pictures of Taylor Lautner on my walls, but I’m too nervous to care.
Tanner roams around the room, trailing his fingers over everything before sitting on my bed. “C’mere,” he says patting his lap. Is he leaving me? Moving back to Arkansas? Don’t cry. Stop crying stop crying. Please keep it together.
Leaning us against the headboard, I stay still in his lap. “Aubrey. There isn’t an easy way to say this.” No, he’s leaving. “It’s always hard to say it at first. But…I love you.”
What? I blink twice at his face. “I—”
“Wait I’m not finished.” He slides me off of him and pushes me toward the bed. With one elbow holding him up, he trails his fingers down my stomach, arms and thighs. “When I first moved to California I knew I wanted out of Arkansas. I wasn’t sure how long I’d stay or even if I wanted to stay. But now I know it’s where I belong. I belong here with you. Always.”
My eyes fill with tears and a soft sigh escapes my lips. He cups my face in his palms. “There isn’t one place in this damned world I’d rather be than here with you.” He tugs me closer, sliding his wide palms underneath my shirt. “I’ve loved you since we spent that first night in the field. I knew you fit against me perfectly. You’re my perfect match, darlin’. You were the reason I moved here without me even realizing it.” His other hand trails up my other side, sliding my T-shirt off my body. He pulls his off and repositions himself on top of me. It’s the best thing I’ve ever seen. I could watch him pull off his clothes a thousand times and it’ll never get old.
Dragging both of my arms above my head, he traps both wrists with his hands. I bite my lip in anticipation. Staring down at me, he examines my face over and over. I do the same. Watching his strong jaw move as he swallows. It’s something I want to do forever.
“Do you understand, Aubrey? You’re mine. No one else’s.”
I understand. I’ve never understood anything this much in my life. It makes sense. It fits perfectly. That missing puzzle piece is hovering over my half-naked body. He releases my arms, and I wrap my hands around his thick neck, just like when he saved me. He’s pulled me out of the endless water and placed me on top. He trails a steamy path of kissing along my neck before stopping at my ear.
“I love you, Tanner,” I whisper.
“You have no idea how good it is to hear that.”
I do know. I don’t just know… I feel it. It fits. “Kiss me, Tanner.”
And he does.
The End
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