He smiles. “I got you.”
I breathlessly respond, yes you do. He slides off his shirt as my hands desperately need to touch his bare skin. I reach for his belt and undo it right before he backs me over to the sofa. We stumble hitting the arm rest falling, knocking over whatever was on the coffee table. He continues lighting up every nerve in my body and I lift my hips to help him move my dress, letting him know what I want. I feel every touch as my body collides with his. I look up at him, unsure how I ever existed without him. He whispers my name close to my ear and when the need for me takes over.
Our desire for each other grows more and more every day and tonight is no exception. He lowers himself beside me.
“Blame that on the car ride home.”
I snicker. “I guess I can mark off cab curiosity.”
“Yes, you can.”
I kiss him. “Excuse me while I freshen up.” In the bathroom, I take off my dress, tossing it out onto the bed. He follows behind me. “Miss me?” I ask playfully.
“Yes.” He starts to pull the pins from my hair, wearing the smile that lights up my world every day.
“Thanks for the assistance.”
“Well, I sort of messed it up with my eagerness to have you.”
“Um, totally worth it.”
Chapter 33
Michael is reading over a paper he’d written for his morning class when I come into the living room, probably looking like a hot mess in need of some coffee. He looks over his shoulder at me.
“Hey gorgeous.”
I wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him. “Good morning, but I’m not sure gorgeous is the word to describe myself.” I walk around the end of the sofa, plopping down next to him. “But thank you for saying it.”
He sets his computer on the coffee table, pulling my legs into his lap. “I remember these legs from last night.” I lean up to kiss him. “Aww yes, I remember these lips as well. I enjoyed our after-party. I think I last looked at the clock about 3:45.”
“We were a little crazy about each other last night. Where is the lamp we knocked over?”
“In the trash. We did well not to break more.” He kisses my knee.
“You in a tux. Irresistible.”
“I made some coffee. I also cleaned up from our food attack. Especially the honey off the counter.” He smiles, raising an eyebrow at me.
“You started the honey dripping.”
“It looked good drizzled all over you. Are you still sticky? Let me check.” He grabs at my shirt.
“No sir, you have a paper due this morning, remember?”
“I do, but…”
He is grabbing at me and I am playfully fighting him off, but we both know breakfast will have to wait.
*
March brings windy, chilly days on campus, which call for warm clothes or nights like last night. I’m down on the floor looking for my shoe when I hear Michael come into my room.
“May I help?”
I get up, pulling on my shoe. “Found it!”
“It’s cold outside. Maybe we should stay in today.”
I kiss him. “I want to stay and cozy up with you too.” I pick up my backpack and grab my phone out of the purse from last night and notice I have messages.
“Hold on and let me check these. Oh my God!”
“What is it?”
“Caleb was in an accident! He’s in the hospital.”
“Is he okay?”
“I don’t know. He asked if I would come see him, but that was hours ago.”
“I can drop you off and then drop off my paper. Try and call him.”
Michael takes my backpack while I try to call the hospital.
“I was able to reach the nurses’ station, but he’s getting an X-ray. Hopefully by the time I get to his room, he’ll be back.”
*
The door to his room is half open, so I knock. “Caleb?”
“Jamie, come in.” His leg is immobilized.
“What happened to you? I just got your messages.”
“How was the fundraiser?”
“It was great, but tell me what happened to you.”
“I went out last night with some friends to Georgios for pizza. We decided to go catch a movie. We paid the bill and went outside. We walked to the corner of Main and South Street and there were people everywhere, due to the concert at Wickham Hall. We stepped off the curb and then out of nowhere, a faded red pickup truck plowed into all of us crossing the street. Unfortunately for my group, we were among the people up front.”
“Who else got hurt?”
“Steve fractured his hand when he caught himself from hitting the pavement. Phillip had some bruises and a cut above his right eye.”
“Did anyone get the license number or were they caught?”
“My dad told me it was found abandoned three blocks over.”
“A witness from the coffee shop said it sped up before plowing into us. I think you know what I’m about to say.”
“You’re thinking it was Stacey.”
“I haven’t seen her anywhere. Think about it. A black SUV almost ran you and Michael over, then the break-in at your apartment, not to mention the phone calls you’ve been getting. Plus she has not been seen lately. You and Michael need to be careful.”
“Maybe the drugs are getting to you. Is there anything I can do before I go?”
“No. Promise me you will be careful.” He takes my hand. “Talk to Michael, tell him what I said.”
I bend over to kiss his cheek. “Text me about your surgery because we’ll come back.”
Slipping out into the hallway, his words are still with me. Could Stacey be the cause behind all that is happening? Is she capable? I haven’t seen her, but I thought she finally realized how crazy she’s been and backed off.
I text Michael that I would explain everything later. Then walking back to campus, I decide to go to the Registrar’s office to check on the name of a past student. I have been thinking about it lately and maybe it’s time find out about her.
The lady who greets me stands behind a long counter. “May I help you?”
I ask her to look up a female student with the last name Artosa. She types, but finds nothing. No one currently attending in the computer by that name.”
“Is it possible to check maybe as far back as three years?”
She punches away on the computer again but comes up with nothing. “I’m sorry dear but I really can’t give you much information even if she was in our system without written authorization.”
“Thank you for your help. I might have the spelling wrong.”
“Well you can go the library and check a few things, but without knowing more I won’t be able to help you.”
“Thank you for your time.”
Maybe now is not the time to open a brand new mystery. My life is so good just as it is. I don’t have to follow the wishes of my dad and find this girl. At least not now.
*
Standing at the coffee counter I’m thinking of Caleb and what he said not realizing Michael is now standing next to me.
“Hey, are you okay?”
I look at him then shake my head. “Yeah my mind is elsewhere. How did you know I was here?”
“Your backpack has a pink peony flower hanging on it and you are wearing your blue coat. What are you thinking about that has you so distracted.”
My name is called. “Do you want something?”
He looks at the guy behind the counter then back at me. “Morning Nate. I will take a bottle of water.”
Nate tosses it to Michael. “Good luck this coming week.”
“Hey, you too.” Placing the water in his pocket and my hand in his, we start walking to my next class, but veer off to the left.
“Where are we going? My class is that way?”
“Let’s go to the fountain.”
“What’s going on with you?”
“I just want time with my girl and then we’ll get you off to your c
lass on time.”
We grab a bench, sitting close as he blocks the wind away from me.
“Do you think after our honeymoon dating is done that we’ll lose this connection?”
“Not if I have a say.” He waves his hand between us. “This will never change because our relationship has gone to a level of no return. You and I are destined.”
“This is true.” I kiss him. “I’ve been thinking about my summer work schedule. I’m not going to take classes because I want my free time to be with you. Maybe do some traveling. We can go to the beach or the mountains. I even checked into some mini trips like kayaking or hiking.”
“I would love to do all of that with you.”
“Then it’s set. My graduation gift to you will be trips. Just keep in mind it won’t be as nice as Colorado.”
“I am up for whatever.”
“If we go to the beach we can eat crab, drink beer, and relax in a hammock. We can watch the sun set, walk on the beach, and live out of backpacks.”
“You in a bikini with sun-kissed skin makes for a pretty good trip to me. I will enjoy anything you plan. But you are not telling me everything.”
“Today I decided to go by the registrar’s office and ask about the name, Artosa. But she didn’t find anything, not even a few years back. Maybe I have the spelling wrong.”
“There are other ways to find this girl.”
“Maybe, but for now I’m going to drop it. It’s not big on my priority list of things to do, but maybe someday. My father wanted us to find each other. I think I need more time.”
“It will always be your decision if you find her or not. I support you either way.”
“What do you think about Caleb’s accident? I mean it’s very similar to ours.”
“Are you thinking it could be Stacey?”
“I don’t want to think she could go to this extreme, but now I’m not sure.”
“I agree. But for right now, can I say how much last night meant to me?”
I giggle at his sweetness. “You could show me.”
He wraps me up in his arms and my nose touches his neck. “You smell so good.” My phone vibrates almost breaking the hold he has on me.
I ignore the interruption and only concentrate on him. He is right. We are forever and always and the world can wait. My phone alerts me to a message. He touches my chin with his finger.
“You want to look at it? It might be Caleb.”
Letting out a sigh, I do. “It’s a message from Stacey.” I put it on speaker, so he can hear what she has to say.
“Hey, Jamie I want to clear the air between us. I’ve been soul searching lately and realize I’ve not been the nicest person to you. I want to bury the bad stuff and move on. Maybe all of us can be friends sometime in the future so I need to start with you. Please meet me tonight at 8:00 in Dot’s café. Just us girls. Hope you come, Stacey.”
He sits up, leaning his elbows on his knees, and looks down at the sidewalk. “I don’t think she has an apologetic bone in her body.”
“Maybe she discovered that she burned all her bridges and wants to leave Hopson with a clear conscience.”
“You shouldn’t meet with her. What if Caleb is right about her or we are right and she’s to blame for things that have occurred recently? I don’t want to risk your safety for the sake of finding out why she feels different now.”
I lean my head against his arm. “I’m not trying to take chances or put myself in harm’s way, but if closure comes from meeting her, then I think I should. Besides you can be there right after practice. Ask Dottie if you can slip in the back of the café.”
He turns his head to me, his face clearly concerned. “I’ll be there by 7:45. You show up right at 8:00.”
“Fair enough.”
“Oh, I almost forgot.” He pulls a piece of yarn from his pocket. “The Life Studies class is making these to promote health and happiness. May I have your wrist?”
He slides it on, pulling it closed. It’s made out of red, yellow, and orange string looped with a small bar that says, “Forever.”
“It’s sweet. You are my forever.” We kiss. “I don’t want to go but…”
“Let’s go. I said you would make it on time.” He pulls me up and we walk until the sidewalk ends, holding on to each other just a few more minutes. He pulls me in for a kiss. “I love you.”
I smile, looking up at him. “See you at 8:00.” I walk away from him backwards, pointing at my new bracelet. I say it where anyone around us can hear: “I love you Michael Tucker!” He places his hand over his heart and when I reach the door of my next class, I turn to see him still looking at me. I wave to him and then he turns to walk away.
Chapter 34
Two classes later I’m thinking of my time by the fountain with Michael as I enter the apartment. I can’t wait to start planning his graduation trip to the beach as my fingers run over the bracelet. Heading into the kitchen for a banana, I step out onto the balcony to breathe in the fresh air as I listen to the trees rustle from the wind. I think of all the time I’ve spent doubting myself, or thinking that love would elude me, when it just needed the right place, the right person, and trust.
Back in the living room, I check my phone. One text from Susan. I’ll call her back later tonight—she stays up late and we can catch up then. There’s also a text from Ruby, stating she sent me a care package. I place the phone on the table, then head to the bathroom before leaving for the meeting with Stacey. Seeing the purple dress reminds me to drop it off at the dry cleaners tomorrow and buy a new lamp. I can hear my phone vibrating when I remember where it is. I run out reaching for it, when I catch a glimpse of a figure standing a few steps from the closed door in the darkness of the hall.
“Hey, babe. You couldn’t wait until eight, could you?” I look at the phone seeing Susan’s number, but it goes to voicemail. I missed it again. I turn to the door where he’s still standing. Michael?”
Still no movement. I realize this is not Michael. His body is stiff with arms hanging straight down wearing gloves and dressed in dark clothes. Panic rips through my body as I take off to my room, but I’m grabbed by my hoodie, and fall to the floor on my back. I hit my head hard against the floor and drop my phone. I try to get up, but I’m pulled around to face the person who has a mask over his face.
He towers over me but I start my attempt to get up. He quickly covers my mouth, but I wiggle free and try again screaming out for help. This time he hits me on the left side of my face, forcing my body away from him, and sending me banging into the back of the sofa. Seconds go by as he stands behind me breathing heavily, saying nothing. I reach for a pillow to swing at him, but he swats it away and grabs me by the waist pulling me up against him while his other gloved hand covers my face. I can’t breathe; I tear at his hand and kick with everything I have, but there’s something on the cloth over my face. I claw at it, losing my ability to fight back as my arms drop, limp by my side. He drags me towards the bedroom kicking the door shut behind us.
*
My eyes open and I blink to clear my vision. I’m lying on the floor on my stomach and all I can see are two black boots next to me. My head feels heavy but when I try to push up, his foot comes down on my back. I yell. “What do you want?”
He bends down next to me, rubbing his hand over my hair sending chills up my spine, then covers my mouth and nose as I try and scream but my words are muffled. I start choking, losing the ability to move once again. I lay limp on the floor, my breathing steady, and my eyes slowly shut. I picture Michael this afternoon when he gave me the bracelet, his fingers touching the word, “Forever.” I blink a couple of times as the beats of my heart slow down, easing my body into a sleep as I hold Michael’s image. But just like me, he fades away.
Epilogue…
My arms are wrapped around her as we lay together, and I watch her fingers make circles on my skin. My beautiful girl means everything to me. Could I love her any deeper than I do now?
&
nbsp; “Hey mister, what are you thinking?”
“About you in your dress tonight. You took my breath away.”
“I hoped you would like it.”
“The cab ride home proved how much.”
“Who knew we could be this in love?”
“I did.”
“You always believed in us.”
“Yes.”
“I remember the first day we met when you opened the door I thought you were perfect. I couldn’t think or speak and was jealous that Michaela had you as a boyfriend. Once I regained my composure and you invited me in, I immediately felt safe, calm and home. When I left Texas, I was scared and thought I was destined to be unhappy in life.” I poke his arm with my finger. “But the way I feel now is so different.”
“Tell me.”
“You opened yourself up for me which brought me back to life. I’m not scared anymore because I found love with you.”
He slides me down onto my back, keeping eye contact and traces my cheek with his thumb. His eyes narrow and he smiles. My hand comes up to touch his perfectly scruffy face and he leaves a soft kiss on my palm.
“Michael, you are my heart.”
*
I am awakened by a knock on my bedroom door. I don’t want to open my eyes because she is so clear—from the smell of flowers on her skin to the feel of her body next to mine I hold onto to her as long as I can.
“Michael. Your dad is here, and we need to talk with you.”
I force my eyes open, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. I sit up, not wanting to lose the dream. The accident left me with a deep laceration on my arm, bruising, and a broken wrist but nothing hurts as much as missing her. “I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Alright.”
I go into the bathroom, turning on the water. As I reach for my toothbrush, I see Jamie’s still in the holder next to mine. I look up in the mirror seeing weeks of growth on my face and don’t remember the last time I showered. Out of nowhere, I hit the wall next to the mirror with my fist, then again, this time knocking it loose from the wall. I scream something that comes from my gut and pull it off the wall, throwing it into my bedroom. Next the shower curtain…anything I can put my hands on lands in the floor or tub. I slide to the floor, cupping my hands to my head. Crying is not something I ever did, but every day since she’s been missing, my whole body aches, I’m angry at the police, but angrier at myself for not being able to protect her. I pick up her toothbrush holding it in my hand.
My Heart Page 19