Page 9 of Hot Man

“I know she volunteered at the fire station sometimes,” I say in an attempt to get this woman back on track. “Does she have any other hobbies?”

That question seems to spark something in the director. She lights up, a huge grin on her face as she says, “As a matter of fact, she does! She’s always going out to hike on nice weekends.She likes that one trail… Oh, what’s it called… It’s the one tourists don’t really know about.”

“Mallard’s Overlook?” I guess.

“Yes, that’s the one!” the director says. “Chloe goes there to clear her head sometimes. How’d you know the name?”

“I’m a bit of a hiker myself,” I admit, already making my way out the door. “And that’s my favorite trail.”

Chapter Seven

Chloe

I take a deep breath as another sob wracks through my body. Even though the decision I made was for the best, that doesn’t mean that leaving Dax doesn’t hurt. I feel like I walked away from my future, but it’s my fault that I had to do it.

Roughly, I wipe the tears out of my eyes and gulp down the crisp air. I focus on the view, trying to memorize the mountainous vista. Who knows the next time I’ll see this? Soon, I’ll be living in the city, surrounded by concrete and massive apartment complexes

“Stupid,” I mutter, kicking the dirt in front of me.

I should never have taken the coffee shop job. Then, even though I wouldn’t know what it’s like to have Dax’s hands on me, I’d still be happy. I wouldn’t have to uproot my entire life to keep him from finding out who I am.

But, god. I’ve been pining after him for so long that I don’t know who I am without him. Sure, there are things I enjoy doing, but I’ve always imagined that Dax would be doing them next to me one day. Now, I know that’s not going to happen.

I’m so busy feeling sorry for myself that I almost don’t hear the footsteps approaching me from behind. Quickly, I sit up straight, using my sleeve to dab away some of the tears that refuse to stop falling. If I’m lucky, whoever that is will leave mealone. I really don’t have it in me to interact with anyone right now.

I hate it when people see me cry.

The person behind me walks closer and I brace myself for a conversation I don’t want to have. I wonder if I’ll have to deal with things like this when I get to the city. I’ve heard people leave you to your own devices there. That sounds nice right about now.

“Chloe?”

I freeze up. That voice slammed me back into reality – Dax is here. My body goes cold, and my brain to short-circuits. I wasn’t counting on seeing him again, and now I don’t know what to say. He doesn’t seem bothered by that, though. He keeps talking.

“I went to look for you,” he says, coming over and sitting next to me. “I went to the group home. They told me you wanted to move to a homeless shelter in the city, and when we went to look for you in your room, you weren't there. There was something… interesting inside, though.”

I think I’m going to be sick. He was never supposed to find out about any of this. If he’s been in my room, he’s seen my collection of prizes. I’m cornered, and can’t deny that they’re his, that I took them from his house. I open and close my mouth a few times, trying to string together an apology and explanation, but nothing comes out. Then, Dax keeps speaking, surprising me by grabbing my hand and threading our fingers together.

“I had to wonder why you didn’t reveal yourself to me any sooner,” he says, his tone far too casual for what we’re talking about. He sounds like he’s talking about the weather and not my stalking him. “But, then I realized you were probably trying to keep me from getting in any trouble. You haven’t been eighteen for very long. It wouldn’t have been a good look for anold firefighter like me to be romantically involved with a high schooler, huh?”

“You’re not old,” I squeak out before tucking my chin against my chest. “But… I guess that was part of it. I also didn’t think you’d want someone like me.”

“How could you say that?” he scoffs, sounding baffled that I’d even suggest he wouldn’t want me. “Chloe, if I’d have known about you sooner, I’d have done anything to get you.”

“Dax…” I say, lifting my head up to look back out over the scenery. I’m still too afraid to look at his face, though.

“Part of me knew you were around,” he says, his thumb rubbing comforting circles on the back of my hand. “For the last couple of years, even though I never saw you, your presence was everywhere. It was comforting, Chloe. It felt like I wasn’t alone even when the house was empty.”

“You mean that?” I ask, finally letting myself turn my gaze on him.

I’m glad that I did. The expression on his face is so warm. It cuts out the slight nip of the mountain wind, and drapes around my shoulders like a blanket. My breath catches in my throat, and I feel myself getting lost in his deep, brown eyes.

“Of course I mean that,” he tells me. “When I saw you in the coffee shop, something told me that our meeting was fate. I’m not a man who believes in fate, though. I believe that when you want something, you have to reach out and grab it.”

“Dax,” I breathe, unable to wrap my mind around what he’s telling me.

“Our meeting… that wasn’t fate,” he says, his voice dripping with affection. “That was you, Chloe.”

“You’re not– you’re not mad?” I say, feeling myself starting to get choked up on my words.

---