by Nora Flite
Near me, people were talking, bustling with the energy of the holidays. I could see friends hugging, lovers kissing, families that laughed and teased each other while they stood patiently. Watching it all, my chest became tight from nerves, my eyes closing to find some escape in the blackness waiting there.
What am I doing, was this really the right choice to make?
Inhaling slowly, I glanced up in time to see my backpack rolling by. Reaching for it, trying to catch it before it got away, I made a small groan of frustration.
His hand came down, coiling around the straps, tugging the bag off the treadmill just in time. That grin was sharp, those eyes sparkling, kind, when they saw me looking on in surprise. “Come on, Leah, I got the other suitcase. Let's get going.”
Deacon was buzzing with excitement, I could almost feel it on his lips when he leaned in for a quick kiss. A little dazed, I reached out to take the backpack, hooking it on my shoulder. “Sorry, I got distracted.”
“There'll be plenty of time for that later,” he said, winking with a chuckle. “My mother said she'd be here to pick us up, let's hurry in case she's waiting.”
Swallowing the lump in my throat, knowing it wasn't going anywhere, I stood there in silence. He paused, glancing down at me with curiosity. “What is it, what's wrong?”
“I...” Nothing, nothing is wrong, that's the problem. This is all going too well.
He squinted at me, then reached out, sliding his fingers into mine, locking us together. “Hey, everything is fine. Okay?”
His words made me think, my skull aching with the wandering anxieties over everything I had been through, about who I was, who I had become. Deacon seemed to accept me, in spite of all he had dealt with. He'd gained bloody knuckles for rescuing me, and the result was this, the broken girl he was bringing home to his family.
Truly broken, I thought, touching the scar on my lower lip. The cut hadn't faded away still, even after three weeks.
“Will they like me?” I blurted suddenly, unable to hold it in.
This stunned him, his face shifting into smooth shock, then melting into doubt. “Are you worried about that?”
“Of course I am,” I whispered, staring at the floor.
I knew he would lift my chin, yet even so, it still filled me with a tremble of delight. “Listen,” he said, serious, calm, “it doesn't matter one lick if my family does, or doesn't, like you. Do you know why?”
Shaking my head, I searched those honey eyes for answers. “Why?”
“Because,” he said, smiling sweetly, his thumb tracing the healed cut on my mouth, “I like you, and that is honestly all that matters in this. Do you believe me?”
Through the numb, distant sensation of concentrating on standing, my legs wobbly, my breath short, I made myself speak as clearly as I could.
“Yes. Yes, I believe you.”
I didn't need to consider lying, it was the absolute truth.
Deacon held my hand, perfect teeth glinting, guiding me forward. Together we walked through the airport, my heart and soul throbbing with a feeling unlike any other.
For once, I felt truly safe. For once, though I was terrified to call it as much...
I felt loved.
END OF BOOK ONE
About the Author
Nora Flite is a simple girl with simple dreams, she's inspired by the events of her life and loves sharing them in her stories. Born in the tiniest state, coming from nothing, she embraces every opportunity to enjoy the good things in the world.
She's also, possibly, addicted to coffee and sushi. Not at the same time, of course.
If you'd like to keep up to date on Nora's current writing, check out her blog, noraflite.blogspot.com, or email her at [email protected] if you just have some questions!
Table of Contents
-DEDICATION-
-Part 1-
Leah Rook
Chapter 1.
Chapter 2.
Chapter 3.
Chapter 4.
Chapter 5.
Chapter 6.
Chapter 7.
Chapter 8.
Chapter 9.
Chapter 10.
Chapter 11.
Chapter 12.
Chapter 13.
Chapter 14.
Chapter 15.
Chapter 16.
Chapter 17.
-Part 2-
Deacon Day
Chapter 18.
Chapter 19.
Chapter 20.
Chapter 21.
Chapter 22.
Chapter 23.
Chapter 24.
-Leah's Epilogue-
About the Author
