Page 266 of Fragments
Movement comes into my peripheral, but I’m too tortured to care. The fireworks are thumping and booming, and I’m sniffling like a lonely loser, lying on the cold ground, wishing he was as dead as he feels.
But I can sense a body coming closer, encroaching on my personal space.
Come on, man… There’s a whole beach available. Back the fuck off.
My glassy eyes slink over, brows furrowing at the shadowy figure fluttering a few feet away. It’s obviously a guy, but he’s also wearing a black sweatshirt, hood up, so I can’t make out much of his features. Only that he’sstaringat me, shuffling like he might want to approach me, but he isn’t sure.
“Can I help you…?” I mumble, sitting up slowly.
The guy stumbles over his feet, suddenlyrunningright at me.
And as soon as he’s close enough, the lights from the fireworks illuminate his face.
My heart stops.
Screechesto a halt so fast I actually cough.
“Oh my God, it’s you,” he cries, jumping on top of me.
No… wait…
What??
Arms curl around me, his body weight crushing me into the sand while I lie here in shock.
Holy… fuck…
“Is this… r-real??” I whine, quaking down to my goddamn soul.
He pulls back to gaze down at me, taking my jaw in his hands. And all I can see are shimmering green eyes filled with tears.
It’s him. It’s really him!
It’s Lex. He’s alive. He’s here, and he’s alive!
Oh my God, I think I’m having a heart attack…
“Baby, holy fucking shit…” he sobs, crashing his mouth to mine. “I found you! I fuckingfoundyou…” He’s whimpering and whining, shuddering as he bawls into my mouth.
And my armsfinallylift, pushing past the stunned lock in my muscles to wrap around his waist.
“Lexington…” I croak, crumbling to pieces. “Are you really here?? I’m… I’m…”
“I’m here, baby.” He kisses the words onto my quivering lips. “I have you. I’m here. I made it.”
“You… m-made it?” I grip his shirt in clenched fists, terrified of letting go for even one-second.
My lungs are collapsing, heart racing way too fast. I’m freaking out…Beyondfreaking out.
I’m baffled, elated, nervous, scared, relieved, thrilled…Waytoo many things all at once. My body is shutting down.
Racked with tremors, I’m crying harder than I’ve ever cried before, holding on to my man tight, keeping him on top of me with our lips brushing while I sob into his mouth.
“Shh… It’s okay, baby,” Lex whispers, stroking my hair and my face, trying to pull back to give me space to breathe, but I won’t let him. “Relax and breathe for me… I think you’re having a panic attack, sweet flame.”
My head shakes, and I cry even harder, hearing his voice call me that.
I thought he was gone… I wassurehe was gone forever, and now he’shere.
