We were both quiet for a long time. We eventually pulled back onto I-95, driving down the highway.
“I missed you too, you know,” he finally said, breaking the silence.
I looked over at him. His eyes were still trained on the road. I guess wanting to smell his cologne probably was confession enough on my side. I slid my hand onto the center console. I wasn’t sure what I was reaching for. A peace offering? Was I just desperate for physical comfort in the form of his hand? Or was it more?
He slid his hand into mine.
I stared down at his hand. It wasn’t mine to hold. And yet…I didn’t want to let go.
Runaway - Chapter 14
Thursday
“Hey.” Miller lightly touched my shoulder. “We’re here.”
I yawned and slowly opened my eyes. The combination of his warm hoodie and his comforting scent all around me must have put me right to sleep. I blinked and looked out the window. “Holy shit.” I was expecting some kind of old wooden cabin in the middle of nowhere. Not…this. I unbuckled my seatbelt and climbed out of the car.
The sound of waves crashing in the distance soothed my soul. And the smell of salty air. And the call of the seagulls. I used to go to the beach all the time with my mom. Every summer until she got sick. I swallowed hard.
“Not so bad, huh?”
When my mom and I used to walk along the beach, we would take turns pointing to the big beach houses lining the coast, saying which ones we’d own when we were older. It was a stupid game. But I was young and naïve. I didn’t know that she’d almost had it all. Or that she didn’t have enough life left to chase any more dreams.
And now that I was standing here staring at one of the monstrosities? I wanted to laugh. I wanted to cry. I just…wanted my mom back. I blinked fast, hoping I could keep my tears at bay.
I turned to look at Miller. “This is where we’re staying?”
“Yup.” He closed my car door and locked it. “Welcome home.” He started walking up the drive.
I quickly followed him. “Wait. You can’t be serious. I thought we were supposed to be in hiding. Not on vacation.”
Miller laughed. “The busy season is over. I’m sure your dad will move us before summer starts. The beach is pretty deserted right now though.” He unlocked the front door and held it open for me.
I couldn’t even believe it when I walked across the threshold. It was decorated just like a beach house should be. Blue and turquoise paintings and accents everywhere that matched the color of the ocean, beige walls the color of sand, and so many seashells. There were seashellseverywhere. Paintings of seashells on the walls and actual seashells in glass lamps and on the coffee table. It was elegant and somehow cozy at the same time. Which was not the vibe I’d been expecting. “There’s no way this place belongs to my father.”
“No. He’s renting it.”
I walked over to the glass windows lining the back of the house, and looked out at the deserted beach. The view was beautiful. And I…hated it.
I knew what my father was up to. He was trying to get his way. He didn’t send me to the middle of nowhere to sulk. He sent me to a beautiful location in the hopes that I’d be content and leave my old life behind.
There was just one problem with that. It didn’t matter how cozy a place was. You couldn’t just make a place a home without loved ones. My house with my mom was a home. Uncle Jim’s apartment was a home. Kennedy’s place was a home. Matt’s house, at least the kitchen, felt like home. I could picture the Caldwell kitchen so easily, bustling and full of life. Tears ran down my cheeks, blurring the perfect view.
Here? In this beautiful location? I stared out at the beach. A house wasn’t a home unless you were with the people you loved. And this wasn’t a home at all. Matt was my home.
I closed my eyes, trying to blot out the view that was meant to manipulate me.
Was that why my dad had asked Miller to be my babysitter? Because he knew we used to be close? He thought if he put me in this dream vacation home with a cute boy I’d just…roll over? He didn’t know me very well at all. And he may have been able to cast my mom aside like she meant nothing. But I wasn’t as coldhearted as my old man. I couldn’t just erase Matt from my mind and move on. He was everything to me.
My loyalty couldn’t be bought. My father greatly underestimated my willpower. I wasn’t going to stop asking to talk to Matt. I’d never stop.
Miller’s cell phone rang. I turned toward the kitchen to see him answer it.
He locked eyes with me. “Yes, we arrived safely.” He nodded and walked over to the fridge. “Looks like we’re all set for a while. Yeah, there’s instructions too.” He pulled out a casserole dish.
So Miller was my bodyguard. My driver. And my personal chef? Yeah, there was no way this shit had been in his original contract. I was grateful that he was here with me. I was. But…he shouldn’t have been. This wasn’t fair to him. He should be allowed to quit and do whatever the hell he wanted. I knew he was saving up for college. Would he ever be allowed to go?
Miller walked over to me and handed me the cell phone. “He wants to speak with you.”
