Page 26 of All Hallows' Haunt
Has she smiled since she left?
When I exited the library’s outside doors, I tugged my earbuds from my pocket, taking them out of the case and popping them in. I shuffled the playlists in the music app, going through song after song. I settled on one and continued across the commons.
There was an ugly, gray concrete structure that looked as comfortable as a seat in hell, but it was isolated. Students sat at the picnic tables closer to the building, but I wasn’t in the mood for making new friends or trying to small-talk my way through the day.
I was most excited for this moment, or so I told Sienna.
I was finally ready to embark on the next chapter and keep my life moving.
But I fucking ached.
I sat on the bench ledge, and it was as comfortable as I expected. It was cold, rough, and probably the way Sienna felt toward me. That would explain why she never called. Hell, that was a generous thought because she would’ve had to keep my number in order to call now. Three whole fucking months. Every night the park was open, I found myself looking through each crowd, begging the universe to bring her back to me.
I feared what she would say if the roles were reversed and I took her number down that night. I wanted it to be her decision, and I would eventually stop hurting, but I wished I could just reach out. I just needed to hear,“I’m not interested, but thanks.”
The music blared and blared. I dropped my head against the stone and let the chords invade me. Note after note, song after song, I wasn’t sure how long I sat there. I was wearing a light jacket, unzipped. The cold eventually creeped in. I softly inhaled through my nose, letting the frigid and stale scent of late winter wake up my senses. It wouldn’t bring her back, but it would ease the ache bit by bit.
I thought about drifting asleep, but my music stopped abruptly. I looked down at my phone just as the ringtone chimed in my ears. A number flashed, but it wasn’t one I recognized. I took out the earbuds and tapped the green button.
“Hello?” I answered. I was a little confused and really hoping I didn’t let a damn telemarketer through.
“Everett?” a small voice answered back. Only, it came through differently. It sounded both like a whisper and as if it were right in front of me.
“Sienna.” I stood up and heard a shuffle around the bend of the bench.No fucking way.I bolted to the other side and collided with a small frame.
A small frame that my arms knew well.
We’d danced this part before.
“It’s you,” she breathed. “Holy shit, it’s you.” I couldn’t do anything but stare. My hands were on her. She was right here. I had no words.
Excitement wasn’t the only emotion crossing her face. A flicker of worry creased her brow. Her nostrils flared. Lips drew tight.I need to speak.
“Mine.” The word left my mouth in a desperate declaration. I didn’t give her a chance to run away. I tilted her head back, probably painfully so, and took every kiss I missed out on. She was gone for too long, and now she couldn’t be close enough.
Her lips were soft,just like that night.She tasted delicious,better than cotton candy.She smelled like heaven,and fucked like sin.I needed more.
“You,” I muttered, hardly breaking the kiss, “are fuckingmine,Sienna.” My tongue parted her lips, and a soft sigh ghosted mine. I groaned at the feel of her and teased inside her mouth. She tasted too fucking good.
She broke the kiss, pressing her lips against my tongue as she retreated and sucked its length.Again.
“You didn’t say any of it,” she said, smiling and biting her bottom lip. I wasn’t sure if she kissed me stupid or if I wasjuststupid.
“I didn’t say what?” My voice was hoarse, and my chest rose with quick breaths.
“Any of the horrible shit I feared you would. I thought you’d be angry with me.” She broke on the last part. A sob choked out and tears started to fall across her stupidly cute, flushed cheeks. I moved my hands to cradle her face and used my thumbs to swipe away her tears quickly.
“I was never angry with you. I wouldneverbe angry with you for that.” I kissed her forehead and held her tightly against my chest as she continued to cry. Everything moved through me all at once. I was happy, excited, and confused. Then I felt a different ache, warmth, and horniness.I’m human, dammit.
I grabbed her shoulders and pushed her back a step. Gripping tightly, I bent down to her eye level. I waited for her to calm down and her eyes to clear up.
“Yes?”
“I want you to hear me. I want you to see me, every single part when I say this.” She nodded, and I realized this was the first time I saw her without the Halloween paint on her face. Likewise, she saw the normal version of me, too. “I love you, Sienna.”
Her lip quivered, and the clarity in her eyes was replaced by fat tears on the verge of spilling.
“I loveyou, Sienna.Every fucking day since you walked out of that park, I’ve been a fucking shell. I’ve been a wreck, a mess, and no one better than who I was during those hours with you. I fucking miss you, I crave you, and I haven’t been able to let any piece of you go. I will lie on the fucking ground andbeg, Little Fox. Do not leave me again,” I implored.
