Conception (The Wellingtons #4) - Tessa Teevan Page 0,71
of his pack, knocking back a swig before handing it to me. I take it, grateful for a chance to catch my breath, not that it’s helping my racing heart. But we’re out of the rain and, fingers crossed, out of immediate danger.
“This isn’t creepy at all,” I tell him, trying to make light of the situation. Trying like crazy to calm my racing heart.
From the mouth of the cave, I see another bolt of lightning, and I squeeze my eyes shut. Dammit. Why, why, why didn’t I check the weather report this morning?
With my eyes squeezed shut, I count. It does nothing to keep me from jumping when a thunderous boom crashes all around us.
Knox’s arms come around me and he takes us to the ground, settling me in his lap. I’m trembling, and he must feel it, too. His fingers skim my arms in a soft, soothing caress as he whispers to me. It’s comforting and almost embarrassing at the same time. I’m a grown woman afraid of thunderstorms.
Lightning illuminates the cave once again, and I turn in his arms to meet his gaze, hoping he can distract me from the storm.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper. “You must think I’m acting like a baby.”
His warm hand rubs my back in slow circles. “I don’t think you’re a baby. That’s the furthest thing from the truth. All I know is you’re scared, and I don’t know why.”
“I don’t do well in storms.”
Okay, maybe that’s the understatement of the year.
His eyes soften. “Melia, I was there that day. I know you don’t. You can tell me anything. Or nothing if that’s what you want. Just know I’m here for you if you ever wanna talk about whatever’s bothering you.”
For the first time in four years, I find myself wanting to open up. I want to tell him, and that both surprises and scares me. I don’t want to let Knox into that part of my life. I don’t want him to understand my grief. But even more, I don’t want to not let him in. And what’s the harm? I mean, it’s not like he’ll be around forever. Maybe that’s what makes this easier. I can be vulnerable with him, knowing he’s just a blip on the radar of my life.
“My parents died during a dangerous thunderstorm while we were in Crystal Cove for the summer. Four years ago. It’s why I haven’t been back since. It’s why…why I panicked that day we met.”
“Baby—”
I stop him. “I was with them. I was with them and I’m the only one who survived. How is that fair?”
“It’s not.” His thumb lifts my chin until our eyes meet. “It’s not fair that they’re gone and you’re left alone. But worse would’ve been you being gone and my not ever meeting you.”
“I shouldn’t say this, yet I’m going to anyway.” I pause, my heart racing. “For the past four years, I’ve only been existing. This summer? With you? I finally feel alive again.”
His eyes give nothing away and I wonder if I’ve said too much.
“I probably shouldn’t say this, either, but yeah, I’m with you. I can’t remember the last time I felt this—if I ever have.”
His words make my heart both soar and slump. I don’t know how to respond without going too far. What was supposed to be simple, insignificant, has turned into something more profound that I never expected.
Knox breaks the silence. “Can you tell me what happened?”
I don’t hesitate. I tell Knox about the super cell Dad and Mom were chasing that late July evening.
While my dad was a meteorologist, he wasn’t an expert storm chaser. He considered it more of a hobby, something he and Mom could do together. He’d get the exhilaration of the chase; she’d capture Mother Nature’s fury. A win-win for them both. For me, it was the best of both worlds.
The treacherous storm that day came out of nowhere, as they often do during the summer in Tennessee. One second, we were enjoying a family day at the beach; the next, our bodies were pelted in a torrential downpour. Dark clouds rolled in and lightning flashed off in the distance. We hightailed it to the family station wagon, where Dad asked Mom if the camera was in the car. Seeing as she rarely left the house without it, she reached into the back seat and held it up with a triumphant smile, one Dad returned. He