Page 41 of Untethered Heart
GAGE:
Yeah. Her friend helped her out, they left in an Uber.
My brow furrows. Helped her out?
ME:
Why did she need help? Did they leave alone??
GAGE:
Lex was pretty drunk. But yeah, it was just the two of them.
My heart thumps wildly in my chest. Lex has never been more than a little tipsy both times I’ve seen her at The Wayside. I don’t know if she hadn’t been there long enough to drink heavily, or she’s simply not a big drinker, but if she was so drunk that her friend had to help her out, was she drinking like that for a reason? Was she trying to distract herself? Forget? Was I tormentingher mind the same way she commanded my thoughts without mercy?
I deliberate for all of ten seconds before I stuff my phone in my back pocket and run to the front door. Picking up my car keys, I slide my feet into the sneakers beside the hall table, not bothering to lace them as I make my way to the elevators.
I rush through the streets, ignoring the way my body could take me on autopilot to Lex’s house. Navigating the long stretch of road that runs along the ocean, this drive has become familiar and comforting to me of late. The ocean reminds me of her. My Siren. The ways it looks different from sunrise to sunset. Calm and beautiful. Dark and wild. I know Lex loves the ocean, and seeing it makes me feel connected to her when she’s felt too far away. Because I don’t know how to pull her closer. She’s like catching the tides.
My tyres crunch over the gravel of her driveway. I have no idea what I’m doing here. What I’ll even say. How do I explain my reason for showing up unannounced on her doorstep in the middle of the night? Maybe if I’d done this sooner, we wouldn’t have been blindsided at the party. Maybe she knew who I was all along? That thought still niggles in the back of my mind, but my gut doesn’t believe it.
I’m racing up the porch steps toward her door when a stunned voice stops me in my tracks.
“Caleb?”
I tilt my head at the young guy sitting on one of the white rocking chairs. His blond hair is ruffled as if his hands have been running through it all night. He seems familiar, but I can’t quite place him.
“Lee Connors. I’m friends with Mason,” he says, leaning forward with an open palm. “We’ve met at The Wayside a few times, I think.”
I shake his hand and move toward the chair beside him, lowering my body into the groaning frame.
I do remember him hanging around Mason a few times at the bar, and I’m pretty sure this is the guy I saw sneaking out a few weeks ago. Fuck, I hope he’s not waiting for Lex. I’m not prepared for the way my body will react if he is. I’ll fight for her, though. Right here, right now.
I study him out of the corner of my eye. He seems a little taller than me, but we seem fairly matched in muscle mass. I could take him. I’d try even if he were twice the size of me. If Lex is what I’m fighting for, there is no limit to what I wouldn’t do. A sobering thought, considering how confused I’ve felt until now. I can’t deny I want more with Lex. I’ve never wanted anything or anyone like this before.
“Right. I remember.” I nod and squeeze my neck, easing the tension. “Who are you waiting for?”
“Claire. She was texting me before, but I think she and Lex might be out dancing.”
“Thank fuck.” The tightening in my chest eases a little. “Yeah, they were at The Wayside. My brother told me they were there. They left about twenty minutes ago.”
“Are you friends with Claire? Or just business partners?” Lee asks, confused.
“Claire? I’m here for Lex.”
Before I can find out more, lights roll over the driveway, capturing our attention. The sound of a door closing slams in the air, followed by laughter and scuffling footsteps.
“Here come the stairs, babe.” It’s not Lex’s voice that fills the air, but when a tinkling giggle dances through the night, my heart stops. Claire steps into view, guiding a stumbling Lex up the stairs. With one arm wrapped around Lex’s middle, Claire attempts to coax her unsteady feet to the top of the deck.
“Good night, Bombshell?” Lee asks beside me. Claire’s eyes fly in our direction, and she freezes in place while Lex continues to sway.
“What are you doing here?” asks Claire.
I leap out of my seat before Lex completely loses her footing and pull her from her friend’s arms.
“I’ve got her.” My words are thick and desperate.
With the sound of my voice, Lex lifts her head in search. When her pretty grey eyes find mine, she smiles. Wistful and soft, and I want to be every reason she ever wears that smile.
