Page 45 of Chasing You

This place is an ecosystem, where every element works together to create harmony and a piece of heaven right here on the outskirts of Ruby Cove.

I feel enveloped by the trees, but I can still hear the waves of the ocean. It’s so peaceful, I haven’t seen one person out on this trail, haven’t even heard a whisper of voices.

That is until I hear the faint sound of heavy, nervous breathing.

My eyes pop open, immediately searching my surroundings, but I can’t see anyone. I hear the crunching of branches beneath a set of shoes, and the sounds of greenery being pushed aside as someone scrambles through the forest.

Shit.

I slowly make my way in the direction I heard the sound come from, before I hear rustling like someone is running, and then someone runs straight into my chest.

I look down to see wild curls and terrified hazel eyes. Marina startles at the sight of me, but I see the recognition in her eyes, and a hint of relief that follows too. It surprises me, but I don't question it.

“We should really stop meeting like this,” I say.

“I think someone is following me,” she spits out. Her breaths are laboured, and sweat beads on her forehead as she puts a hand over her heart.

My eyes narrow as my brows pull together. “What?”

A branch snaps nearby. “Shit,” she curses, looking over her shoulder. I can feel genuine panic radiating off of her. Like a heat emanating off her skin that is reaching me from where I stand a few feet away from her.

Marina doesn’t run. I know that because she always told me she thought her friend and old roommate, Rosalie, was crazy for going on a run every day. She said the only time she would ever run would be for her life—and she’s been running.

“Okay, stop running,” I say, instinctively putting my hands on her shoulders.

She looks back at me like I’m crazy, and it makes me pull my hands away. “What do you mean, stop running? Do you want me to get kidnapped in broad daylight? I didn’t think you hated me that much.”

I shake my head. “You know I don’t hate you, now be quiet.”

Her eyebrows shoot to her forehead as she looks up at me, still puffing as she crosses her arms over her chest. “Excuse me?”

“Marina,” I feel my nostrils flare as I look down at her, willing her to just listen to me for a second. “Be quiet.”

When rustling sounds from the direction she came in, she goes silent. She doesn’t turn around to look, she just keeps her wide eyes on mine as I look out into the forest around us. Her fear sends a surge of protectiveness through me, to the point where I'm not sure what I'll do if I see someone out here.

My eyes track every movement of every leaf, every flit of a bird's wings, but I don't see anyone.

“Are you sure someone was following you?” I ask, not taking my eyes off of our surroundings. I hate to doubt her, but I don't see a trace of anyone out there.

“Yes, I’m sure, Miles.” Marina wraps her arms around herself, and my gaze drops to see the tiny goosebumps raising the soft hairs on her arms, and it’s not a cold day, even under the shade of the trees. I hate standing here like an idiot, not comforting her like I ache to do as she stands scared in front of me.

“Okay,” I say. “Look, I'm here, okay? No one is going to kidnap both of us.”

“Great, they'll just wait until we part ways and get me when I'm alone,” she mutters. She’s really worried, and an instinctual part of me wants to wrap her up in my arms and tell her I've got her, but I can't.

“Let me walk you back to your car,” I say. At the pointed look on her face, I hold my hands up. “We don’t even have to talk, but I'd rather know you got back safely. Please.”

Her resolve is no match for her concern, not as she glances back into the forest before nodding subtly in agreement. The fact that she agreed so easily tells me just how spooked she really is right now.

When she turns around, leading me through the trees, all I want to do is slip my hand into hers, to let her know that I’m here, that I won’t let anyone get to her. But that would be a gigantic step over her boundaries, and I'm not going to do anything to make her feel more anxious right now. So I just follow close behind her, making sure she can always see my shadow walking alongside her.

She’s quiet as she weaves through the trees, the sound of the ocean getting louder as we near the edge of the forest. I suddenly remember where we are, that this forest is right behind the Lost and Found. The exact place I told Marina to avoid unless she wanted to see me, and here she is.

I let myself think that maybe she came here with the intention of running into me, that maybe she’s not so firm on the boundaries she’s been so desperate to set in place. It can’t be a coincidence. Why would she be on this side of town? There’s nothing around here.

I want to ask, want to pry into her mind to discover exactly what she’s thinking, but then we step out into the bright day, and I see her dark motorcycle glinting against the sun.

A laugh escapes me on an exhale. “You still drive that death machine?”

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