Page 110 of Malaise
Tanya lunges at the door to the courthouse every time she hears the slightest rattle of the handle. We stand for what feels like an eternity before the side entrance opens and Carver appears.
He gives me a huge smile, yet heads straight for his old man, offering his hand.
The two men shake, a quiet understanding passing through their locked gazes, before Jon breaks the connection, shoving Carver my way with a hand to his shoulder. “Say gidday to your girl, son.”
“Me first, otherwise I’ll never get a look in!” Tanya lunges between us and pulls Carver in for a hug. He holds her as she sways them from side to side before letting go and taking a step back, her hands on his shoulders. “You did good, big bro. Just promise you’ll stay out of trouble now, okay?”
He nods. “I think I can manage that.”
“Good to hear.” Tanya takes Jon by the arm and guides him away. “We’re leaving so you two can catch up. You’ll need these.” She tosses Carver the keys to the Falcon. “Meg knows where it’s parked.”
Jon and Tanya head down the alley, swinging a left when they reach the end and leaving me alone with Carver. We’re the only people out here, and it couldn’t be more perfect.
“Ready to go home?” he asks quietly, drawing my focus back to him.
I smile, looking over the man I’ve grown to respect and admire beyond comprehension these past weeks. I honestly don’t know where I’d be without him… if I’d even be here at all.
“And where would that be?” I ask, stepping into his open arms to wrap mine around his solid middle.
“Anywhere you are, baby. You know that.”
I hum in appreciation, nestling my head against his chest. “You pled not guilty.”
“Always would.”
“But you said—”
“I know what I said,” he says with a light chuckle that tickles my cheek. “But did you honestly think I’d ever really settle for a sentence that wasn’t mine, knowing you were out here alone—looking fucking fine as hell might I add—and not knowing who was sniffing around you?” He coaxes my chin up with gentle fingers, turning my face to look up at his. “I meant it when I said we were supposed to find each other, Meg. You’re mine, girl. Always and forever.”
“Then why did you say I needed to carry on without you? Why the hell did you make me think you were going to take the punishment, rather than fight it?”
“Think about it.” He leans in, brushing his lips over mine as I frown, trying to work it all out.
Why would he give me broken expectations, shatter my hope at our future? I fight to figure out his backwards reasoning, my head growing cloudy as his kiss grows more insistent.
“Missed you,” he whispers against my mouth, his hand moving up to thread through my hair. “So much.”
Fuck it. I can try to work it out later. My hands knit behind his neck, and I strain to my tiptoes to gain better access. Carver settles his free hand at the small of my back, and just like in the old-time movies, he tips me back and makes me feel like the prettiest, most lucky girl in the whole damn world.
Because I am.
No matter what happens from here on out, being with him is where happiness lies. He’s the rush of clarity I get when I take a deep breath, my oxygen, the constant that keeps me alive and trying.
Carver moans, his breath stealing mine as he pulls me upright with him and releases my lips to press his forehead to mine, both palms flat on my cheeks. “You worked it out yet?”
“You got me a little distracted for a moment there,” I tease breathlessly.
He smiles, stepping back to take my hand in his and start us down the alley. “Tell me about your course. I heard you got accepted.”
“How did you know that?” I ask, surprised. Nobody had been to visit him after me… that I’m aware of.
“Message through the grapevine.” He winks. “Sometimes I actually love small town gossip.”
I rest my head against his arm, as awkward as it is while we walk, just to grab that connection again. “I start February. Full-time study until October when I’ll graduate—hopefully—as a trained Veterinary Nurse.”
“What do you mean ‘hopefully’?” he asks. “You’ll nail it, I’m sure.” He chuckles, causing me to lift my head and look at him to see what’s so funny. “Especially if I help you study.” He gazes down at me, the most wicked intent hiding in the navy flecks of his eyes.
“I’d be lucky to pass a single unit if you’re going to keep that up.”