23. Chapter 23
Chapter 23
WESTON
T he last two days had been ideal in every way. We ate dinner together each evening and Becky would tell me stories about her life. I trained some and gave her a few more driving lessons. It was as if time stood still when I was with her. Her presence was so comforting.
But even as I relished the joy of her company, there was a nagging voice in the back of my mind that whispered caution. I’d been hurt before. Losing my dad and cousin had left a deep wound that I was afraid would never fully heal. The thought of losing someone else I cared about terrified me.
As much as I wanted to open up to Becky, to tell her how I felt about her, I was scared. I didn’t want to risk losing her too. So, instead, I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the present moment, savoring every second with her. For the first time in a long time, I felt alive again. And it was all thanks to her. Or God? Had he brought her into my life as Brenda had said?
That evening, I ran while Becky cycled next to me, chatting animatedly about her favorite TV shows. Heavy raindrops splattered against the pavement as we made our way back to the house. A few minutes from home, the heavens opened, releasing an overwhelming deluge. We took shelter in the kitchen, both of us drenched but laughing at the unexpected twist to our evening.
Becky excitedly pulled out her phone. “I have to show you the clip I was talking about. My explanation didn’t do the show justice.” She pulled up a YouTube playlist of a comedy show. The glow from the screen bathed her face in a soft light. Each time she laughed, a tug at my heartstrings made me want to remember that sound forever.
“That’s hilarious,” I said, chuckling as the comedians on the screen narrated their wild tales. “I’ve never seen this before. I bet Gray would enjoy it as well.”
Her eyes, still shimmering with the remnants of laughter, met mine. “I love how they fumble over their words to tell their ridiculous stories. It’s just so... so funny.” The spell was momentarily broken when a yawn escaped her lips. “I should probably head to the shower and get some rest.” She stretched her arms above her head, her silhouette emphasizing the curve of her waist. “Even though I don’t run, cycling can be pretty exhausting.”
I felt a sudden reluctance to let the moment end, even if it was just a simple evening spent together. “Yeah,” I replied, my voice slightly huskier than I intended. “Do you need an umbrella?”
“Nah, I think the worst of it is over. It’s just a pitter patter now.”
I walked her to her door. She paused, and turned to me, her gaze lingering a tad longer than necessary, before offering a soft, “Goodnight, Weston.”
“Sweet dreams,” I said. I wanted to say more, but I didn’t.
Once she was safely inside her cottage, I sank into the sofa, flipping channels until I settled on an episode of the show she’d introduced me to. Each segment reminded me of her—her radiant smile that seemed to light up the darkest rooms, her eyes twinkling with mirth at even my most uninspired jokes.
After procrastinating enough, I decided to also get ready for bed. I had barely been under the warm spray of the shower for five minutes when suddenly, the room was swallowed by an intense darkness. Irritation surged through me at the annoyance of a blackout. But then, like a swift current, my mind raced to Becky. Was she okay?
Despite the darkness, I managed to change quickly. Finding my phone, its flashlight became a beacon in the all-consuming dark. My heart, driven by an unspoken urgency, led me straight to her garden cottage. The thought of her alone and frightened was a weight on my mind that propelled me forward.
Without waiting, I tried the door. Finding it unlocked, I stepped inside, the beam from my phone sweeping the room. And there she was, a vulnerable form curled up on the kitchen floor. The sight pierced me through. Jamming my phone into the pocket of my jeans, I picked her up, drawing her gently into my embrace as I moved to the sofa.
“Becky, are you alright?” My voice, low and filled with concern, broke the eerie silence as I sat with her on my lap.
Her eyes, wide and glistening with a mix of fear and relief, met mine briefly before she hid her face against my neck.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I tried to get here as quickly as I could.”
Feeling her trembling, I silently cursed the dark for bringing her this distress. Shifting to the side, I retrieved my phone and checked the latest notification. I found a community message about a downed power line.
“Hey, sweetheart,” I said as I rubbed her back, “the power should be back on in about thirty minutes. They’re fixing it.”
Her response was just a tight hold, as if letting go would allow the fear to win. As the minutes rolled on, I felt her shaking lessen and her grip loosen, the storm of panic ebbing away. And then she pulled back slightly, her eyes searching mine.
“Why did you come?” she asked, her voice small and vulnerable. I could feel the weight of her question hanging heavy in the air between us. This was the moment I had been dreading, the moment when I would have to answer the question I had asked myself ten times since I arrived. But as I looked into her beautiful brown eyes, all my doubts and fears melted away. No matter how hard it was, I had to be honest with her.
“I couldn’t stand the thought of you being scared. I had to come and make sure you were okay.” Unable to stop myself from touching her, I tucked her hair behind her ear so I could see her face better.
Time seemed to blur around us as I gazed into her eyes. There was a magnetic pull, a silent conversation between our gazes. She leaned in closer, and I caught myself staring at her lips, their soft curve inviting. Yet, I hesitated, paralyzed by a mix of awe and uncertainty.
A shadow of doubt crept over her features. “I’m sorry, maybe I misread...” Becky’s voice faded into a whisper as she looked away from me.
Without thinking, I reached out, my fingers lightly lifting her chin. Guiding her gaze back to mine, I sought to erase the doubt, to reaffirm the unsaid words hanging between us.
But before I could speak, the room jolted back to life as the electricity flickered on, disrupting the moment.
Becky swiftly climbed off my lap. “I’ll be fine now,” she said.
As she pulled away, my feelings of contentment were replaced with loss. I wanted her to stay, to continue touching me, to show me it was okay to let someone in. But I could hardly make sense of what I was feeling, let alone voice my feelings. Not knowing what to do now that the room was so brightly illuminated, and Becky was clearly okay, I stood to leave. A part of me wished I knew how to just let go and follow my heart. If anyone was worth the risk, it was Becky. I almost reached the door and then turned.
“For the record, you never read anything wrong,” I said.