Page 119 of Caged

I wanted to close the distance, wrap her in my arms, and make sure no one ever hurt her again.But she’s leaving.The pain of that memory added fuel to the flame of my anger.

Fear. Frustration. Pain.

Emotions overwhelmed me. So, I did what I did best and channeled the troubled youth of my past and defaulted to anger.

Directing it all at her, I ignored the vow I’d made to be the man I knew myself to be.

“What the fuck, Cate? After everything we went through you’re leaving? I don’t even get a fucking goodbye text?”

This wasn’t how I wanted to act, or who I wanted to be. I stepped toward her and reached for the bag she carried, instinctively acting like a gentleman despite my raging emotions.

Her father’s voice brought me to a halt, when he said, “Watch your tone.”

Message received, loud and clear. I nodded without taking my eyes off Cate.

“Are you blind? I obviously didn’t leave.” A look of pain crossed her face when she raised the bag too fast, but she didn’t let the pain stop her. “For your information, I went to get a new phone.”

“But you are going to DC?” My fear and frustration bled into the question, which came out far snarkier than I wanted it to.Why can’t I stop?

“Not for a few more days.” She confirmed my worst fear. Taking a step forward, she opened her mouth. But I cut her off.

“Without so much as a goodbye?” I crossed my arms over my chest, clinging to the anger was easier than feeling the pain.

“What? No, of course not.” She held up the bag. “No phone, remember?”

“Maybe we should take this inside,” her father said. Standing a few feet off to the side, he was ready, willing, and able to protect Cate.

From me.

He couldn’t know I’d suffer a thousand tortures before I’d ever hurt her. How could he? My actions weren’t exactly demonstrating my feelings.

“Did you seriously assume the worst then march over here to scream at me?” She shook from the effort it took to yell.

“Catelyn,” her father said.

She glanced at him but didn’t move. Neither did I.

Tension hung in the air, thick as molasses and just as dark.

Cate paled as we faced off in a battle of wills; both too stubborn to back down.

General Maxwell decided he’d had enough and stepped between us, showing me his back. “Cate, go inside before you fall down.” After a brief pause, he added, “Please?”

“Fine,” she huffed before stepping around us and walking to the door.

Like a coward, I turned to watch her walk away but didn’t move. The disappointment I felt towards myself for not being man enough to admit my feelings, grew with every step she took.

When I finally took a step to follow, a heavy hand landed on my shoulder and held me in place. It wasn’t forceful, but the meaning was clear.

Halfway there, Cate turned. “For the record, Sheppard,” she spat out my last name, “I was going to call you as soon as my new phone was set up.” She turned on her heels and marched to the door.

She held her head high and her shoulders back despite the pain.God, she’s so fucking strong.Feeling like the worlds biggest asshole,I stared as she walked to the door, wishing I’d been smart enough to apologize the instant I’d fucked up.

Before I could say anything, her father warned, “Do I need to tell you to tread carefully?”

I shook my head, no, and clamped my lips shut. The pain of clenching my jaw and compressing my lips was less than I deserved.

As soon as the door closed behind her, Maxwell’s grip on my shoulder tightened, letting me know it was time to turn around and face him.Now would be a great time for my courage to resurface.

---