by M. W. Muse
"What do you think about the prophecy?"
"I don't know what to think. I can understand if his family was responsible for your death, how I would despise him and not want to be his friend at all, much less anything more. But I don't understand how I could not be with you if you were alive." I looked down at my hands on the table. "I already feel like we were meant to be together. Forever."
Don lifted up my head to meet his gaze and stroked my cheek. "I feel that way, too. And I felt that way long before the night of your birthday party."
I smiled at him, but it wasn't a happy one. "I don't understand how everything else can make so much sense, but I can't accept what he said about the prophecy. I mean, I know you care about me, and I know Chrys does, too. So I can see how Chrys thinks we're all bonded. He feels bonded to me, and I feel bonded to you—"
"We are bonded to each other," Don corrected. "Chrys isn't part of that." "I know. But he's still my friend."
Don took my hands into his and glanced down at them. "I don't want you to be friends with him."
"Why?"
"Season, I don't trust him. I know you think he's helping you with your mom, and he might be. But his intentions are not appropriate. Whether or not he's telling you the truth, he's telling you this to gain your trust. Once he has that, there's no telling what he would do. He could turn on you and help his mother, and you wouldn't see it coming. Or—" Don paused— "he could use that trust to get into your heart. I'll be in college while he's there with you every day at school."
"I wouldn't let that happen, and I don't think he'd purposely try to take me from you. He knows that would hurt me, and he doesn't want to do that. Besides, why would he want me to warn you about his mother?"
"Because he wants me left alone since that's apparently the only way he'll get
you."
"But even when I was upset about you being at your dad's, he wanted me to talk
to him about it, knowing it would hurt him to hear me talk about you. He wants what makes me happy, and he knows that's you. He wants my happiness no matter what it costs him."
"Of course he does. If you go crying on his shoulder, he gets to be the one to console you. Then you'll always turn to him when you need support. Season, he has an agenda."
I took a deep breath and looked away. I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere with Don. I wanted him to know and understand.
"Season," he whispered, and I met his gaze. "You said something earlier that bothers me."
"What's that?"
"When I asked you how you felt about Chrys, you said you feel like he doesn't judge you. Do you think I judge you?"
"No." I shook my head, but I wasn't entirely sure if I was being truthful. "I think you don't understand. I want you to understand. That's why I told you. I was really upset at the thought of making you angry, but I needed you to know. If any of this is true, then I wanted you to know about it because I want you to know about me."
"Sweetheart, you can always, always come to me, and I will always be here for you. You have no idea how much I care about you. I will always try to understand whatever it is you want to tell me. But because I . . . because of how I feel about you, I will always, always try to protect you, but that does not mean I don't understand."
I nodded, and he wrapped his arms around me, resting his lips at my ear. "Please, Season. Please come to me whenever you need to, whenever you want
to, whatever the reason. I want to be the one you turn to. Always. Forever." "That's what I want, too."
Don held me in his arms, rocking me gently. Even though it wasn't easy, I was glad to have this all out.
"What about your dreams? Are you still having them?" "Yes."
"Are they always the same?" he asked, stroking my hair.
I discussed my dreams in detail, and he listened attentively, rubbing my face, kissing my cheek, always touching me one way or another. After I finished, I quietly searched for any link my dreams had to what was going on in my life. There had to be a connection.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Chrys said there are no coincidences, so I'm trying to figure out what my dreams mean."
"No coincidences," Don mumbled.
I looked over at him to read his expression, but it was unfathomable. He flashed his eyes at me and smiled. Then he lifted his hand and rubbed my arm.
"Maybe they're trying to help you with the changes you're going through." I smiled back at him. He was trying and that meant a lot to me.
"What are you smiling about?"
"I'm just happy that you're trying to understand this. I got most of my information from Chrys, and you don't like him. You're making an effort, and that makes me happy."
"I don't like Chrys for many reasons, one of which is the fact that he seriously thinks he'll take you away from me. Any man would feel threatened by that. But this isn't about him. He may be a source of information for you, but to me, that's all he is. This is about you, not him."
"Thank you." I leaned in to kiss his neck.
Don put his arms around me again and held me for a while. "Will you please do something for me while I'm gone?" "Of course."
"Stay safe. I'm going to be worried enough about you as it is. I'm not going to ask you to stay away from Chrys because I know you can't. Just be aware that even though there may be no coincidences, not everything is always as it seems, either. So please be careful. For me."
He said it again. Be careful. This time, we were on the exact porch that we were on, in my dream.
So was that a coincidence or was something not as it seemed?
Chapter 17
I pulled into Chloe's driveway on another dreary day. Dreary because Don was in Texas. At least he'd return the next day, and early enough this time that we made plans to go out.
I was spending the day helping Chloe with our summer English assignment, an essay on Hamlet. Don had helped me with mine last month, but of course, she waited until we had only a few weeks left of summer before starting hers. Needing reinforcements, I found a copy of Kenneth Branagh's movie version. At least we could watch it and follow along with Shakespeare's play.
When the movie was over, she got out her laptop, and we started on her paper. I couldn't remember the last time I had so little fun spending the day with Chloe. No one liked homework during summer break.
"You want to ask Zach about going on a double date?" I asked as she saved the final version of her paper. "We can go see that new movie opening next week."
"Ah, that sounds like fun. Yeah, I'll talk to him about it." "I talked to Don about Chrys," I said timidly.
"Really? What did he say?"
I shrugged. "Nothing that I didn't really expect. He doesn't trust Chrys, but he understands why I talked to him. He wants me to come to him, though. He thinks Chrys has an agenda."
"Is that what you think?" "I don't know. Maybe."
I decided to spend the night at Chloe's house since I was still avoiding Melissa. Besides, spending time with Chloe doing girly stuff was better than sulking about Don at home.
When we went outside to feed the dogs, we discovered one was missing and noticed the gate was ajar. We grabbed some flashlights and started walking down the road.
"Spike," Chloe called out.
We passed Chrys's house, and he was outside. Great. Just what I needed, Chrys to see me in my pajamas. Not. He walked over to us.
"What are you two doing out here in the dark?" "We're looking for one of my dogs."
"Have you checked with security? Maybe someone saw him and called." "No. I didn't think about that."
"I'll keep looking while you go call," I told her.
Chloe ran to her house while I kept walking down the street, but I could hear Chrys walking behind me. I turned around, flashing the light in his face.
"What?"
He raised his hand to block the light. "I'm helping you look for the dog." "I can manage." I shifted the light to the ground.
"I know you ca
n, but two pairs of eyes are better than one."
"Well, the second pair will be back out, right after she calls security," I said, putting my hand on my hip.
Chrys stood there staring at me. "I don't want you out here alone." "We're in a gated community. What can happen to me here?"
"Did you forget my mom lives right there?" He pointed to his house. Why did he have to make a point? "True. I'll go wait at Chloe's house." "No, I can walk with you."
He wasn't getting the hint. "I don't want you walking with me." He stepped closer. "Why?"
"Because it's late. I'm tired. I'm in my pajamas, and it's not appropriate." "Chloe's seen you in your pajamas. Think of me as a friend like she is." He
smiled.
"But I haven't known you as long as I've known her."
"Season, I'm not letting you out of my sight until you are safely indoors." Ugh! "Hmph." Stupid Prophecy. I turned and walked away from him. "Spike! Come here, boy!"
I stomped down the street with my stalker in tow. I could tell he was right behind me. I wanted to turn around and give him a piece of my mind, but I wasn't sure if I'd be able to keep my voice down.
We walked down to the next street where a new estate was being built. I walked around the shell of the house, swinging my flashlight in every direction. My foot caught some of the construction debris, and I tripped. Chrys grabbed my arm and pulled me to
him. I glanced at his face, and he was watching the ground, making sure I had my footing before letting me go.
"Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm fine. Thanks."
Even though he let go of my arm, he was still standing right up against me. I thought he was going to step back, but he didn't. I searched his face again, and his eyes were shut. I stepped away from him, and he opened his eyes to look at me.
"Sorry," he whispered, but he was breathing heavily.
I didn't say anything. I just turned and walked to the side of the house where the woods were. I flashed the light in the trees and called the dog again. I thought I saw movement but couldn't be sure. It was dark, and I was moving a light around. My eyes could have very easily been playing tricks on me.
I started to step into the trees, but Chrys grabbed my arm. "Don't go in there."
"Why?"
"Please, Season. I don't want you to get hurt."
He stared at me with a wistful expression, but I couldn't understand it. I wasn't sure if he was just worried about the woods, or if there was a deeper meaning in his look.
"Look out!" he yelled and pulled me to the side.
I saw a rustling on the ground and jumped anyway. It was a rattlesnake. He reached over, picked up a piece of scrap lumber, and crushed the snake.
"Let's go."
He grabbed me by the arm and dragged me down the street toward the house. "Security had him," Chloe said as we approached.
"Oh. Good. Okay." I glanced at Chrys's face, then looked at his hand which was still locked tightly around my arm. He let go.
"I'll see you at work tomorrow." I walked away from him. "Sweet dreams."
If only. There was nothing sweet about my dreams that night. I guessed my encounter with a real snake wasn't enough. I dreamed about them all night.
The next morning, Chrys was already at work when I arrived. I guessed he was so giddy from seeing me unexpectedly last night that he rushed up here to see me as soon as possible. Stupid prophecy.
"Good morning," I said as I walked in the door.
"Morning." But he didn't sound as cheerful as I thought he'd be. Maybe he took last night for what it actually was and didn't obsess about it all night.
"Where's everybody?"
"Tracy called in, and my mom stayed home. We have family visiting from out of
town."
Nice . . . it would just be the two of us, then. Well, except for the pharmacist, but
he'd be stuck behind a glass wall the entire time.
It was slow all day. At least Chrys spent most of the morning in the back, but he came out at lunch time. He offered to treat with pizza. I declined. He persisted. Not really caring either way, I gave in.
He walked over to where I was standing and gently stroked my arm. "What kind do you want?"
I stepped out of reach. "Pepperoni's fine."
He smiled as he called it in. "It'll be here in thirty minutes."
I shrugged, but he didn't leave. Maybe I needed to be verbal about it. "Okay," I said with my eyebrows raised.
But he kept standing there, staring at me. I stared right back. Then he moved over to me and stroked my arm again.
"Why did you step away from me?" he asked softly.
"Because I didn't want you touching me." I shoved my shoulder in an unsuccessful attempt to knock off his hand.
"Is it because you like me touching you, and you don't know how to deal with
that?"
"Er, no. What gave you that crazy idea?" "Just a hunch."
"You're wrong."
He stepped to the side again, so now he was standing right in front of me. I took a step away, backing up against a wall. He put his other hand on my other arm.
"I think you do like me. More than you're willing to admit." Why was I in the pits of Hell?
"Look Chrys, I don't want to hurt your feelings." I tried being nice, but as I spoke, he took another step. Now he was uncomfortably close.
"You're right," I whispered, and Chrys's eyes popped open. "I do like you. But I don't feel about you the way I feel about Don." He flinched at that acknowledgement.
"You will love me. One day."
"Not this day, and not ever if I have anything to do about it."
"Well, I'm tired of sitting by and watching you grow closer to Don. You're supposed to be growing closer to me."
He asked for it. "I love the way Don makes me feel. The way he talks to me, holds me, hugs me, kisses me. There's nothing in the world that can top that."
Chrys dropped his arms and huffed angrily. "I can't do this anymore. I tried being your friend like you wanted, but I'm done. I want to be with you. From here on out, I'm going to be pursuing you like any other man would do in this situation."
So Don was right about Chrys.
"Right, because there are so many men out there pinning their hopes on a
prophecy!"
"Touchy much?" He smirked and stepped right up against me, our bodies brushing against one another. "I think you're putting up a fight because you're afraid of the temptation."
"You have completely lost your mind." I put my hands on his chest and shoved him back. "I don't want to be with you. I want Don!"
"There's nothing wrong with giving him a little competition. He's going to mess up, and I'll be the one you'll turn to."
"No! You're going to be nothing to me. You are nothing!"
"Baby, I'm everything. I'm everywhere. You can't stop me. You have no choice." I slumped against the wall and threw my hand over my mouth. I shook my head,
staring at him in disbelief. His words were in my dream. The one where I stood under the tornado, daring it to come for me.
The sudden change in my expression softened his stance. Now he appeared concerned.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." I stepped aside, intending to walk away from him, but running for the restroom instead.
I burst through the door and ran to the sink. I splashed water on my face, hoping the cold water would numb my brain. It didn't.
Why were my dreams coming true? With each new experience, I was more certain that everything had to fit together. But how did this prophecy fit in? I truly felt like I belonged to Don. I wasn't just telling myself this. I felt it with every fiber of my being.
But Chrys felt the exact same way about me. I couldn't be mad at him when I thought of the pain it caused him. Because if I couldn't be with Don, I knew I would be hurting, too.
Chrys knocked on the bathroom door. "Are you okay?"
Just because I felt sorry for him, that didn't excu
se his behavior. If he was going to be actively pursuing me, I would have to be on my guard.
"Season?"
"I'll be out in a minute."
I took a few deep breaths, wiped the water from my face, and walked out. Chrys was standing right there.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say all that."
"Apology accepted." I stepped around him and walked to the register.
Chrys followed me. "I'm not saying what I said wasn't true," he muttered. "But I shouldn't have been so abrupt."
"I understand." I turned away, fidgeting with some papers.
"I think about you all the time," he breathed. "I just don't know how to do this anymore. I can't sit by and watch you fall in love with him."
I looked up at Chrys, and he was watching his feet. "I get it." And I did. He wanted me, and he was through pretending that he didn't.
He met my gaze. "You don't know what I've been going through. When I saw you unexpectedly last night, it made my day. Just seeing you. But when you tripped, and I caught you . . . with you so close . . ." He shut his eyes on a sigh. "You have no idea."
"I said I understand, but that doesn't mean I'm going to change my mind."
"I know how you feel, which is why I've tried to be a good friend to you. I'll still be there for you, and I'll still help you whenever you need it. But I just can't deny my feelings anymore. I know that's what you want, and it's killing me that I can't do that for you."
"I know you can't change your feelings, but neither can I."
Chrys's confession made the rest of the work day brutal. I caught his longing looks several times.
I'd just have to get used to the fact that he wasn't hiding anymore.
* * *
The knock on the door that afternoon made my heart flutter. I'd missed Don so much before I went to work. Now I was aching to see him. I opened the door, and Don was standing there with roses. I didn't even take them from him. I threw my arms around his neck, and he squeezed me tightly. I was where I belonged.
