Escalation - Tessa Teevan Page 0,56
Your parents.”
He smiles softly. “They were the best parents I could’ve asked for. I miss them. I don’t get home nearly as often as I should.”
I hear the pain in his voice, and I wonder just how much of a toll being undercover has taken on not only him, but his family life and his relationships with his parents. And what kind of toll is it going to take on us? I’ll bring that up at a much, much later date.
As Rafe tells me about his parents and his childhood, I close my eyes and get lost in the stories. I become more eager than ever to meet them. My heart lifts, because if they loved their son that much, they'll love their grandchild the same. Suddenly, I can’t wait to meet them. Visions of Rafe and a little boy with his stunning blue eyes flash through my mind. Then, I smile as another vision of a little dark-haired girl grinning, knowing she has her daddy wrapped around her tiny fingers. The idea of having a family warms my heart, and even though I hadn’t planned this pregnancy, I’m so grateful for this gift that Rafe has given me.
I’m so entranced in thoughts of onesies and the sweet scent of baby skin that I don’t even realize the ride has stopped. So have Rafe’s stories. His hand cups my cheek, and my breathing turns shallow.
“Open your eyes, Brie.”
I shake my head. “I can’t. I know we’re at the top, and I’ll freak out.”
“Yes, you can.” His voice is gentle yet firm. A complete contradiction.
And I find myself actually wanting to open them.
“I won’t let anything happen to you. You are safe. I promise.”
I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. The mantra repeats over and over in my head and before I know it, I’m peeking one eye open. Then the other.
I gasp as I realize just how high up we are, but even more than that, I’m in awe at the sight before me. It’s the Chicago skyline as I’ve never seen it before. It’s absolutely breathtaking, and as I cling to Rafe, I turn my head and take it all in.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper, not allowing my eyes to look down.
“See? I knew you could do it,” he says, pride in his voice.
I tilt my head to peer at him. “It’s only because you’re here. You gave me the courage to do it.”
He shakes his head. “No, Brie. You did this all on your own. It’s time you start realizing the strength you have in here,” he says, placing a hand over my heart. “I wish you could see yourself the way that I do. You didn’t need him. You don’t need me. You just need to remember who you are. Who you’ve always been.”
“I remember, Rafe. And it’s because of you that I do.”
He starts to protest, and I press a finger to his lips, silencing him.
“Reflection shows me that I never needed Adrian. Not in the way I’d want to. Did I need him to keep a roof over my head? No. But I was weak and allowed myself to think I did. Because, at the end of the day, I know the truth.”
His eyes search mine, flicking back and forth as if trying to read my expression. “And the truth is?”
“There’s nothing wrong with needing someone. In fact, I think it’s actually a beautiful thing. I need you because you’re essential when it comes to my happiness. Can I be happy without a man? Of course. Would I be happy without you? Absolutely not. That tells me, Rafe Matthews, that I need you. All of you. And I have a feeling you need me, too.”
He smiles at the memory of our very first interaction, when he said the very same thing. “I guess I knew what I was talking about, huh?”
“You did. And you were right.
“So are you. Although, it should be more than a feeling. It’s a fact. I need you, Brie, and I always will. That will never change.”
As he places his arm around my shoulders, I settle in and rest my head against his chest. My hand holds his, and even as the ride begins to move, I’m at peace.
Because I, Gabriella Latham, am unequivocally happy, and I’ve finally found where I belong.
After we leave the Ferris wheel, my legs are wobbly and my heart is still racing from the excitement and the terror of the ride. A