We’d salvaged the lasagna by scraping off the burnt top layer. But it still had a charred flavor to it. It was hard not to laugh at Miller’s cooking. He couldn’t even heat up a premade lasagna.
“Stop laughing at me,” he said and kicked my foot. “You’re the one that kept walking and walking and made us miss the timer.”
“This is not my fault,” I said and picked at the mess with my fork. “But I’ll cook tomorrow.”
“There’s a bunch of prepared things already in the fridge. I’ll bring a phone timer next time.”
“It’s not a big deal. Besides, we don’t need to just reheat stuff. For all my father’s stalking, he didn’t realize that I’m a great cook. Probably because he never asked.” He never asked a lot of things. He’d only been concerned that my kidney was a match.
“Well, I assume you’re at least better than me.”
So true. I took a bite and chewed it slowly. Really…why was it so chewy?
“Don’t make that face. I tried my best.”
I laughed. “Sorry, it’s delicious.”
He rolled his eyes and we both gravitated toward looking at the ocean.
Miller had brought down a bunch of blankets and pillows to the beach. He’d made us a kind of fort on the sand. He’d made good on his promise. It was hard to feel claustrophobic out here. But even with all the extra blankets and layers, it was still getting cold.
I set my plate down. “Should we head back inside?”
“What? No. We’re sleeping out here.” He lay back, putting his arms behind his head, and stared up at the stars.
“But it’s freezing.” I ducked lower into his hoodie.
“Don’t act like you’re afraid to steal my warmth, kid.”
“You’re seriously going to sleep out here?”
He continued to stare up at the sky. “Isn’t that what you wanted? To be outside?”
It was what I wanted. But I wasn’t exactly used to hearing the word “yes” recently. I smiled as I lay down beside him, snugglinginto his side. He was right. It was warm when we were together. He was practically a space heater.
I stared up at the sky too.
“Make a wish,” he said.
And for some reason, as I stared into his eyes, I couldn’t wish for the thing I truly wanted. The thing I thought I wanted. Matt. How could I wish for someone else when Miller was here with me? It felt like a betrayal. So instead I wished to find a way for Miller to be free. Free from this mess he was in. Free from me.
As soon as I made the wish, I wished I could take it back. I didn’t want Miller to leave me. Because then my whole world would be cold.
Runaway - Chapter 15
2 Weeks Later - Saturday
I picked up my pace as I jogged farther away from the beach house. Miller and I had a good routine going. We both exercised in the morning. I’d go for a long and very slow jog and he’d use the gym at the house. Then I’d cook us breakfast.
I had classes online during the week. And I’d convinced him to sign up for some online college courses too. So during the day we both were focused on our studies. We’d eat a quick lunch in front of our computers. And after we were done for the day, we’d take a long walk on the beach until our stomachs started to growl.
Miller was not a great cook. But he was letting me teach him. Our nights were my favorite. It just felt…normal. Playing house. But that’s all it was. A game we were playing until we were both set free.
Soon I hoped I’d be able to run again instead of the weird slow jog I was currently doing. I kept telling myself that once I was fully recovered from the surgery, everything would be better. Running always made me feel sane. And it was one of the only things I was holding on to. Because as each day passed, the clearer it became that Matt wasn’t coming for me. I stopped and stared out at the water. One week from today we were supposed to get married. I had been so excited for December 22nd. And now whenever I thought about it, there was a pit in my stomach, growing by the second.
I knew in my gut that the 22ndwould come and go. Just like every other day here. Nothing special would happen. Nothing atall. I wrapped my arms around myself as I watched the waves crash. Yeah, I really missed running.
***
