Allegiant (38 page)

I shrug. “The truth hurts sometimes. It’s
not like you haven’t been there to know.”

He holds me tighter.

The warm feeling of him surrounding me makes
me sleepy. I close my eyes and give in to the comfort of his
presence.

“
Can I ask you a
question?”

I turn my face toward him as much as I can.
“Sure.”

“
It’s a big
one.”

Yikes. I shift my body to lie next to him on
my back, so I can see his face. “That worries me.”

He props himself on his elbow and looks
down. “If you can’t give me an answer, I’ll understand. Just be
honest with me, okay?”

Now I’m really concerned. “Okay,” I say,
uncertain.

He takes a deep breath. “What else can I do
to prove that I’m in love with you?”

My heart stops. Did he just say…?

He leans over me. “Name it. I’m
serious.”

I swallow and meet his eyes. Even in the
dark I can see how much feeling is there, how much he means what he
says. What did I ever do to deserve him? Absolutely nothing.

He gives me an anxious smile. “So? I’m
waiting.”

I push myself up on my elbows and hold my
face inches from his. “You’ve already given me so much. There’s
nothing else I need.” Once that statement is out of my mouth, I
realize that there is something that he needs. I can at least give
him that, right? After everything he’s done for me?

He reaches up and runs his fingers from my
temple to my chin. “Are you sure?”

I know what he’s asking. Too many emotions
race through my heart. When I decide to give myself to him, I want
it to be the only thing on my mind. “Patience,” I say. I know it’s
a lot to ask.

“
Done.” He wraps his arms
around me again and pulls me against him. We lay down as we were
before.

“
I’m sorry I’m being
difficult.”

“
What’s new?”

I can hear the smile in his voice, and I
elbow his side. He laughs and then sighs. He squeezes me again and
plants a kiss by my ear. “I could get used to this.”

“
What?”

“
Holding you like
this.”

I smile. “Well, get used to it.” If I can’t
give him everything right now, I can at least give him some things.
“I’m feeling mighty comfortable right here. It may be the only way
I can sleep from now on.”

“
You promise?” he
asks.

I nod.

He gives me another innocent kiss, where he
gave me the first, then I feel his head hit the pillow. “Good
night,” he says.

I push myself back against him, eliminating
any space between us. “’Night.”

As I float on my back in the pool, I think
about the last few days and smile; so far, it’s been the best time
I’ve had here. Our discussion the night of the storm ushered the
elephant out of the room. Now, Dane and I are more relaxed around
each other.

Okay, I take that back.

He’s the same he’s always been except he now
knows I’m not going to freak out if he touches me. I’m the one who
feels liberated. If he makes a suggestive comment, I smile. If he
wraps his arms around me I lean into him, instead of away. If he
kisses me, I don’t think twice about kissing him back. To say that
it’s nice would be an understatement. Who knew things could be this
easy? The twinges of guilt that still pop up from time to time are
nothing near what I used to feel. Don’t get me wrong; I’m
completely dreading the moment when I have to explain myself to
James. But, he has to feel that I am happy and that should count
for something. I hope.

I turn over and swim to the stairs,
sufficiently chlorinated for ten in the morning. Stepping out of
the pool, I make my way over to my towel and dry off. As I wrap it
around myself, a pair of arms circles me from behind.

“
Morning swim?” Dane asks
over my shoulder.

“
Yep,” I smile. Under his
arms I pull the towel tight around me. “You’re back
early.”

“
I got a brilliant idea,”
he says and turns me around. “Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.”

“
Yeah, I know.” I will miss
my mother’s cooking and the smell of pumpkin pie.

“
Do you want to do the
whole traditional turkey and stuffing thing?”

My nose scrunches. “I don’t think eating a
turkey prepared by me is such a good idea.”

He smiles and his eyes light up. “I thought
you might say something like that.” He kisses me softly then
releases me, turning toward the house. “I’m going to get cleaned up
then I have some plans to make. I shouldn’t be long.”

“
Where are you
going?”

He grins. “None of your business.”

I eye him suspiciously. “Just tell me.”

He opens the sliding door and sets one foot
inside. “Let’s just say what I’m planning for tomorrow will keep
your mind off of home.”

I don’t know why, but an image of bungee
jumping immediately springs to mind. “Don’t plan anything crazy,” I
warn him. I don’t want him to be disappointed if he gets me all the
way to wherever and I refuse to cooperate.

“
Don’t worry,” he smiles.
“I’ll be back in a few.”

I watch him shut the door and disappear. I
look up at the blue sky and decide sunbathing is in order. It’s
technically Thanksgiving break, right? I head over to the lounge
and spread my towel on the chair, then lie on my stomach to tan. As
the sun warms me, I relax. I should only lie here a few minutes; I
need to get dressed and start my day. For what reason, I don’t
know. My class work is beyond caught up and I’ve made the requisite
emails for the week. I should call my parents tomorrow, though, for
the holiday. I think about what I would be doing if I were at home
and frown. I definitely wouldn’t be doing this; it’s probably
freezing and snowy. My frown turns upside down. This is better.

Unfortunately, hours later, I’m feeling the
polar opposite of better. At noon, I started to get antsy. At two,
antsy turned into worried. At three, worried morphed into anger.
And now, at five, the anger has subsided into something worse.
Panic.

Dane hasn’t come back.

I hang up my cell in frustration as I get
his voicemail for the third time. I would call more but I don’t
want to come across as needy, even though I’m about ready to
hyperventilate. He’s never left me alone this long before. As I
pace the floor, I try to stop my mind from weaving a tapestry of
unpleasant scenarios. He must be hurt if he’s not answering his
phone. What if he got into an accident? The hospital wouldn’t know
to contact me.

And then another equally unpleasant thought
enters my psyche. What if we’ve been found? I knew things were too
good to be true. What if The Allegiant have taken Dane and are
planning on using him against me? It’s not out of the question.
What if James slipped up because of my happiness and got caught?
The thought of losing either of them to The Allegiant twists my
heart. And if the reason isn’t supernatural, I don’t think my soul
could bear losing Dane the way I lost James. I imagine him on the
side of the road, bleeding, and my body starts to shake. I can’t
lose him. I can’t.

I sit on the couch, clutching my phone, and
wrap my arms around my waist. I need to hold my insides together. I
don’t know what to do. We never discussed this; we don’t have a
plan if something happens to one of us. I know this isn’t the inner
city, but we should have known things couldn’t be left to chance.
The fact that we’re in the situation we’re in should’ve given us a
clue. I stare at the floor as the tears that dance behind my eyes
take center stage. How long do I wait before I head on foot to
search for him?

Mercifully, minutes later, the door to the
garage opens. I whip around and stand as Dane finally makes an
appearance. He sees my expression and his face immediately
softens.

“
I’m so sorry,” he
says.

I stare at him for a moment to make sure
he’s really there. I wipe my face then walk around the couch. He
holds out his phone.

“
My battery died,” he
glares at the phone, “and I lost track of time.”

I want to be stern, but my voice wavers.
“How dare you? You’ve been gone for seven hours!”

He gives me a look of genuine remorse. “I
got talking and then Charlie offered me a beer. Time got away from
me…”

I close the distance between us and throw my
arms around his neck. “Don’t you ever do that to me again.”

He wraps his arms around me. “I’m sorry; I
won’t.” He kisses the top of my head then tries to look at me, but
I remain wrapped around him. “You were really that worried?”

I raise my head. “Have you forgotten my last
boyfriend left me and never came back alive? I thought you’d been
in an accident! Or captured. Do you remember we’re in hiding?”

He looks at me and a slow smile spreads
across his face. It annoys me, and I push against his chest. “This
isn’t funny! I nearly had a heart attack!”

He rearranges his features. “You’re right.
It’s not funny.”

I cross my arms. “Then what’s up with the
grin? Knock it off.”

“
Do you realize what you
just called me?”

I give him a sour look. “Inconsiderate?
Irritating?”

He shakes his head. “You called me your
boyfriend.”

I narrow my eyes. “I did not.”

“
You did so,” he smiles
again. “You said ‘my last boyfriend left me.’ Which would mean I’m
your current one.”

I open my mouth to dispute him, but nothing
comes out. He steps forward and wraps his arms around my waist.

“
I really am sorry,” he
says and dips his head to kiss me.

I move out of the way and set my jaw. “It’s
going to take more than that.”

He looks to the ceiling in thought.
“Dinner,” he says and refocuses on my face. “Let me take you to
dinner. To make up for my inability to tell time.”

I eye him suspiciously even though my heart
is overjoyed at seeing him safe and alive. “That’s a start,” I
concede.

He wipes my cheek with his thumb. “How long
until you’re ready?”

“
Give me ten minutes,” I
say and back away from him. There’s no way I’m letting him out of
my sight for anything longer than that.

We end up at a restaurant just east of
Charlotte Amalie called the Fat Turtle. Even though it’s early
evening, I can tell this place turns into party central at night,
especially the day before a holiday. The restaurant is located on
the waterfront where large yachts, too many to count, have set
anchor. There’s an open air bar, along with inside seating, and an
area for dancing. Dane requests a table outside, and I get the
feeling that he has been here before. Teagan’s image materializes
before my eyes and I imagine them here together, sipping cocktails
and dancing close. The thought leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

Once we’re seated, we order and our food
comes fairly quick. It’s good, but not as good as Gladys’ in my
opinion, and I pick at the chicken on my plate. When we finish our
meal, Dane pays the bill and then moves us to one of the bistro
tables closer to the bar.

“
We’re staying?” I
ask.

He nods. “It’s nice to get out, don’t you
think?”

I look around. The place is filling up. It
will be nice to stare at something besides the flat screen for a
night.

“
So, what do you want?” he
asks, standing to get a drink.

“
I don’t know. Something
fruity?”

“
Something fruity,” he
repeats and smiles. “You’re fruity.”

“
Okay, then. Scotch on the
rocks.” Like I would ever drink that.

He frowns. “Never mind. Something fruity it
is.”

Apparently he doesn’t want to scrape me off
the floor later. He heads to the bar, and I watch him go. When he
reaches it, he squeezes in between a blonde and another guy about
our age. The blonde is wearing the tightest mini dress I’ve ever
seen. She has the body to pull it off, but wow. What exactly is she
advertising? Dane orders and the blonde notices, turning to him and
tossing her hair. She beams at him, introducing herself, and Dane
smiles politely. The bartender eventually retrieves our drinks, and
Dane makes his way back to me. He holds a bottle in one hand and a
glass that contains liquid as blue as pool water in the other.

“
Here you go.” He hands it
to me.

“
What is it?”

“
It’s called Turtle Soup,”
he smiles. “Don’t worry. No turtles were harmed in the making of
it.”

I roll my eyes and take a drink. It’s really
good; it’s frozen and tastes like melon. I’m going to have to pace
myself. Alcoholic drinks that taste like Kool-Aid are
dangerous.

“
So,” he leans over the
table, “am I closer to being forgiven yet?”

“
Marginally,” I say and
play with my straw.

“
You can’t be that mad,” he
says. “I’ve seen you mad and this isn’t it.”

I look him in the eye. “I was more worried
than anything. You’d be just as concerned if I went missing for
hours.”

He smirks. “Would I?”

I kick him under the table; he grimaces as I
connect with his shin. “You’d better be.”

He laughs, but then his face falls with
concern. “You know I’d be sick with worry.”

I take another drink. “Well, then, welcome
to my world.”

As the place gets crowded, Dane and I spend
the time people watching. I’m sure my karma is ruined with the
comments I’ve been making, especially toward little Miss Mini
Dress. But, it’s fun to laugh and forget this afternoon. As evening
falls, a DJ starts to play and the dance floor fills. Dane heads
back to the bar. “You want another?”