Alla Kar: Stroke Of Fear

He smiles and then he gets shoved out of the way. “Are you okay? I called your parents they should be here tonight. Can you see me?” Cassie snaps her fingers in front of my face a few times.

“Get out of the way,” I hear then Cassie is being picked up and moved. “Hey,” Eric says, leaning on the rail of the bed. “You okay? You look like… ouch . Stop it, Cassie.”

“You’re going to upset her. Don’t tell her that you asshat.”

A giggle rises from my throat. “Tanner.”

Tanner comes back up to me and smiles down. His rough fingers rub against my face, stroking my cheek. I’ve never seen anyone so beautiful before in my life. The blue specks in his gray eyes are bright today. “He’s dead?” I ask.

A frown tugs on his lips. “Yes. I killed him.”

Dead. Michael’s dead? I knew he’d die one day. But I didn’t think by my own boyfriend’s hand. “Don’t cry, baby.” Tanner cups my cheek and plants kisses all over my face. “It’s okay. You’re safe. Perfectly safe.”

“Can I talk to her?” I hear and then some more mumbles. I’m still too tired to lift my head, but when I feel a hand on my arm I know who is standing in front of me.

“Jake,” I say, my voice pained.

“It’s me. Are you okay?”

I nod and open my eyes wider. He’s looking down at me. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he asks. “I would have understood.”

“I know you would have. I’m sorry. I just… everything fell into place when I got here. I think I’m where I need to be.”

Jake smiles and pushes his dark blond hair from his face. “I think so, too. I hope you know I love you, Aubrey. I’ll probably always love you.”

I do know that. I know I love him, too. But the perfect man for me wears work boots and has a sexy southern drawl. I was always meant for him. We fit together like a puzzle piece. He was my missing piece. All I had to do was wait. Jake, Cassie and Eric all say their goodbyes. Mrs. Jones is having a panic attack with all the kids.

I cling to my blankets and stare up at the ceiling. “You there?” I ask into the silence.

“I’m here, darlin’.” Tanner steps into my vision and sits on the edge of the bed. Light brushes of his fingertips send warmth over me.

“I swam today.”

The huge smile on his face shows me he’s proud. “You did. Brilliantly. When the paramedics came to get you, they said they had to pry you out of the water. You wanted to float in the shallow end.”

I laugh and it burns my throat. “Does Michael’s mom know he’s dead?”

“Yes. The police called them.”

I sniffle. “He’s dead because of me.”

“No, he’s dead because of himself. Don’t blame yourself. He was going to kill you, Aubrey. Twice. You were meant to live. You escaped it twice.”

Nodding, I wipe at my eyes until they’re burning from the friction. “Tanner?”

“Hmmm?”

“I’m glad I met you.”

He brushes a stray tear from my face. “You’re right where you’re supposed to be, darlin’.”

Aubrey

“Put away those stupid signs, Cassie.”

Cassie pushes the tack into the way anyway, before turning to face me.

“No. I’m excited we’re home. I’ll hang them there until I’m ready to take them down.” She sticks her tongue out at me and glances back up at her sign.

Welcome home, Aubrey.

I groan. I was in the hospital for a week. I had a concussion, several scrapes and bruises. I was lucky.

“Plus, this should make you feel good. Doesn’t it feel better to be at home at our apartment? I’ve missed you.”

I can’t help but smile and lean my head on her shoulder. “Cassie, you saw me every day this week.”

She waves me off and pulls her chestnut hair into a high ponytail. “Yeah, but now we can stay up late and watch Hulu. South Park anyone? The Walking Dead ? Sleepy Hollow ? One Upon A Time . The Vamp —”

“Okay. I get it. We have a lot of making up to do. But, you didn’t have to leave the camp early. I know you’re going to miss Eric.”

She rolls her eyes. “I did have to leave early and he can come see me whenever he wants. It’s not a big deal. But…” She trails off smiling at me. “You’re the lucky one who doesn’t have to wait to see yours.”

I play with a string on my jeans. “I’m glad. I don’t want to be without him, Cassie. It’s crazy. I’ve only known him a summer and I—”

Cassie lifts a brow. “You what?”

Through the opened window of our apartment I watch Tanner walk by. “He’s here. I’m so nervous? Why am I so nervous?”

Cassie has an amused smile on her face. “You’re in love. I’ll finish that for you. L.O.V.E. Get the hell over it!” She twitches toward the door and opens it before Tanner can knock.

Tanner lifts a brow and his gaze comes right toward me. “Come in,” I say. Tanner walks in and he looks over everything. A deep, healing scar runs along his forehead from the incident. He isn’t in his sling anymore and I’m glad. I love his hands. His hands are shoved down into the depth of his jeans pockets. A tight red shirt stretches across his broad chest and down to his slender waist. He looks good enough to eat.

With an outstretched hand, he offers it to me. “You look great, darlin’.”

Sliding my fingers through his, he pulls me closer. Fingers cling to the nape of my hair. “Okay. I’m going to my room now,” Cassie says. Neither of us move. We’re staring at each other. The mixture of his soap and breath turn my legs into Jell-O.

“Can we go to your room? I need to talk to you.”

About what? Good news? Bad? Is he going to jail for killing Michael? I know he said the police talked to him but I assumed it was fine. Self-defense and all that. He was trying to kill me. There is so much I want to say, but I bite my lip and lead him to my room. It smells the same. My bed is neatly made. There are a few pictures of Taylor Lautner on my walls, but I’m too nervous to care.

Tanner roams around the room, trailing his fingers over everything before sitting on my bed. “C’mere,” he says patting his lap. Is he leaving me? Moving back to Arkansas? Don’t cry. Stop crying stop crying. Please keep it together.

Leaning us against the headboard, I stay still in his lap. “Aubrey. There isn’t an easy way to say this.” No, he’s leaving. “It’s always hard to say it at first. But…I love you.”

What? I blink twice at his face. “I—”

“Wait I’m not finished.” He slides me off of him and pushes me toward the bed. With one elbow holding him up, he trails his fingers down my stomach, arms and thighs. “When I first moved to California I knew I wanted out of Arkansas. I wasn’t sure how long I’d stay or even if I wanted to stay. But now I know it’s where I belong. I belong here with you. Always.”

My eyes fill with tears and a soft sigh escapes my lips. He cups my face in his palms. “There isn’t one place in this damned world I’d rather be than here with you.” He tugs me closer, sliding his wide palms underneath my shirt. “I’ve loved you since we spent that first night in the field. I knew you fit against me perfectly. You’re my perfect match, darlin’. You were the reason I moved here without me even realizing it.” His other hand trails up my other side, sliding my T-shirt off my body. He pulls his off and repositions himself on top of me. It’s the best thing I’ve ever seen. I could watch him pull off his clothes a thousand times and it’ll never get old.

Dragging both of my arms above my head, he traps both wrists with his hands. I bite my lip in anticipation. Staring down at me, he examines my face over and over. I do the same. Watching his strong jaw move as he swallows. It’s something I want to do forever.