The Beast Within (The Elite Series) - By Jonathan Yanez Page 0,14

ears. Yet here she was, standing right in front of him, the light breeze playing with her natural blond hair, her passionate blue eyes looking for some type of response.

“I don’t know how I feel anymore, Kat. I’m confused, I miss you, too, but we can’t be this way. I don’t want a relationship where we’re on again, off again, on again, off again.”

“I know, and neither do I. Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything, but it’s the truth, Connor.”

“I think we both need time to think about things before we make any decisions.”

Katie nodded in agreement. The two gravitated toward each other like they had so many times before. Katie fit perfectly in his arms; it felt natural, normal, to hold her again.

After an embrace that seemed much too long for two “friends” to share, they separated. “Okay, well, you better get going. I know you have deliveries to do. Call me, though. Maybe we can hang out tomorrow after you get off work.”

“’K,” Connor responded as he got into his truck. His mind was spinning as he turned the key and the engine roared to life.

There was too much to think about without making his head hurt. Instead, Connor turned up the radio and listened to AC/DC as he enjoyed the scenic ride out of town.

This methodology only worked so long before he found his mind wandering back to Laren, with her green eyes, her smile and her willingness to open up to him. She was such a strong individual but she had a vulnerable side that she had allowed him to see, even if it was only for a few hours. The way he was drawn to her couldn’t be discounted, either.

But Katie was the girl he’d thought he would marry. They had been through so much together and had so many great memories. She had been there for him whenever he needed her, and they fit perfectly together. Everyone said so at one time or another: they were supposed to be a perfect match.

Aware the radio distraction wasn’t working, Connor decided to take it up a notch. Turning the radio on full blast, he rolled down the windows and started to sing the lyrics to “Wheels in the Sky” by Journey at the top of his lungs.

Soon the one-man karaoke machine pulled into the Catskill Forest Preserve, thirsty and hoarse. He parked his truck in the Welcome Center parking lot. With no clue where to make his delivery, he picked up the insect repellent, two water bottles, and pickaxe and made his way to the front entrance.

Dressed in his flannel shirt and now carrying a pickaxe, Connor couldn’t help but feel like a lumberjack. A few days’ absence from shaving didn’t help the picture and Connor had to laugh at himself.

“Hey! What’s so funny?”

Connor’s head swung around to the side of the building so fast it threatened to give him whiplash.

Laren was there, eyebrows raised, waiting for a response. Her hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail and she was dressed in runner’s attire. Connor had to force himself to keep eye contact and not stare at her outfit.

“Nothing. What are you doing here?”

Laren approached him playfully. She had a bag in her hand that Connor hadn’t noticed before. As she got closer, her expression changed from one of playfulness to concern, her eyebrows furrowed. Her nose scrunched like she had gotten a wiff of skunk and she looked around the area as if she were searching for someone.

“Are you okay?” Connor asked, taking a look around their surroundings as well, not really sure what or who he was looking for.

Laren opened her eyes bigger and shook her head. “Yeah, sorry, I’m fine. Just allergies.” Reversing her demeanor, she placed a smile on her face and continued. “I was waiting for my delivery and I have something for you.”

“Wait, you ordered this?”

“Yes, and thank you,” she said, taking the waters, insect repellent and pickaxe from him.

The way she handled the pickaxe like some kind of toy was surprising. Connor was in the prime of his life and exercised on a daily basis. The pickaxe wasn’t a struggle for him to lift, but neither was it light, especially for a one hundred and twenty pound girl. There was no grunt of exertion or show of strength, she merely took it from him and placed it down on the side of the Welcome Center building.

She was back in a second, handing him the bag. “Here. Open it