The gray dawn filters into the room as I come to. Rolling onto my back, I realize what woke me. My arms are empty; Leigh sits on the edge of the bed, with only her jeans on, her naked back to me.
“You’re still leaving.” I state, voice flat, void of emotion. Her shoulders stiffen and she nods her head but doesn’t say anything. I shift closer to her and reach out to stroke down her spine noting the tremor that works through her body. Twisting to the side she looks at me.
“I have to.”
“Don’t.” Sitting up, I scoot closer. My arms wrap around her waist and hold her. Small hands rest on top of mine, intertwining between my fingers, and she squeezes. “Stay. With me.” We’re going around in circles, but I don’t know what else I can say to make her stay.
“Max.” Her voice is barely a whisper.
“Please, Leigh, give us a shot.” My head bows, and I press my lips to her bare shoulder. The tension ebbs from her body, and she leans back into me. I kiss a path across her shoulders and feel rather than hear the soft moan. Her body relaxes as my lips trail down her spine, kissing each vertebra. She gives a little shiver, and I rest my forehead against her back, holding her.
“I’m glad you came back tonight.” Her fingers stroke over mine, sending a rush of longing through me, again.
“So am I.” I smile against the bare skin of her back; it was hands down the best night of my life.
After a while, she reaches for her bra and top. Once she’s dressed she turns, kneeling on the edge of the bed and takes hold of my face. “I need to go.” Captured between her palms, I stare back. Her eyes memorize every detail of my face before her thumb runs along my lower lip and she kisses me. It’s unlike our heated kisses from earlier. There is no tongue, no devouring each other. It is sweet and simple and more heartfelt than anything I’ve experienced before. It’s a kiss good-bye. She pulls back and gives me a sad smile before gathering her boots.
“Bye, Max.”
The taste of her salty tears lingers on my lips long after I watch her walk out the door.
Chapter Twenty-Two
I lie in Aaron’s guest bedroom for a long time after she leaves, not ready to resign our night together to a memory. The smell of her perfume is still on the pillow next to me. I can smell it on my skin, and I’m not in any rush to remove the last traces of her from my life. She’s gone, really gone. Somehow I drag myself out of bed, straighten the room and leave without being spotted. It’s a miracle no one saw me, not that I care. Like a zombie I climb into my car and drive home.
When I make it home late morning, Causey and Sugar are in the kitchen kissing and jealousy twists in the pit of my stomach at the sight of them. After one look at me standing in the doorway, the happy sound of their giggles fades away. The tight grip I have on the doorframe is the only thing keeping me upright. The need to pack a bag and get the hell out of here has never felt so appealing. Maybe I should follow her. What is there for me here anyway? But then I look at Meghan. She’s the only family I have. I can’t leave her, not after everything she’s done for me.
“Rough night?” Sugar asks, and her sympathetic gaze is almost enough for me to break down and tell her everything. From that one look, I know that she knows. I don’t even bother to ask how, it’s a small town and nothing stays secret for long.
“Something like that.” I shrug, and my eyes narrow as I watch them closely. Causey keeps darting looks in her direction, and I catch her small shake of her head. Something is up with them. They move around the kitchen, making pancakes and trying to appear like everything is normal, but it’s not. They are hiding something. Unease starts to build the longer I watch them until I can’t take it anymore.
“All right. What’s up with you two? You’re acting squirrely.” I lean against the doorframe and cross my arms over my chest. Meghan casts Causey an uneasy look before swallowing thickly and steps toward me. She’s starting to freak me out, and I wish she would just get to the point; the suspense is fucking killing me.
“What’s going on, Meghan? You’re worrying me.” The smile that I’m sure she thinks is reassuring is anything but and worries me further.
“I … uh … we …” She looks at Causey for help, and he nods but remains silent.
“We’re moving. That’s it, isn’t it? You’ve had enough and we’re moving on? Actually that suits-”
“No. Max, we’re not moving. The opposite.” Her head tilts up to look at Causey.
“What?” I’m starting to get a headache, trying to understand what she’s getting at from her cryptic sentences and looks from Causey.