I added, trying to suppress my smile, my lips still tingling from his kiss.
“My pleasure.” He grinned as I walked by him and into the clearing.
“I’m here,” I yelled as Grayson’s head snapped in my direction and smiled with relief. I forced myself to smile back, although I wasn’t very happy about the interruption.
“Where have you been?” he asked as he approached me.
“Around.” I looked down at my shoes, not wanting to look him in the eye. “I needed to clear my head.”
“Next time you wanna get wasted and wander off, maybe you could give someone a heads up.” His voice was filled with irritation, but I knew it was out of concern.
“Didn’t think I had to,” I shot back with a glare and walked passed him toward the tracks. He trailed behind me without saying a word. As we made our way onto Cherry Street, behind the local store, he quickened his step to get by my side.
“Not everything in my life is your concern, ya know. We broke up a long time ago,” I said coldly as the thought of those other girls crossed my mind. He pushed out a hard breath and grabbed my arm, forcing me to look at him.
“I know you’re mad about Marcus, and at me… and the whole fucking world for that matter, but you can’t cut yourself off from everyone.” He turned and stalked off angrily. I trudged after him, shouting at his back with fire in my veins.
“Who said I’m alone? Who told you I don’t have someone? You’re not the only one who can move on, you know.” It was a low blow. Deep down we both knew our relationship had failed because I couldn’t cope with losing my brother, but it didn’t make this any easier. He swung around and glared at me. I immediately regretted what I had said.
“Well, then I hope he doesn’t mind putting up with your shit because I’m done,” He walked away from me again, and this time, I didn’t follow. I sank down wrapping my arms around my knees and let the tears flow down my cheeks, exhausted and overwhelmed. I wiped them away with my arm and stood up to head home. A hand grabbed my shoulder and I swung around, gasping. The thought of my gun I had forgotten at home crossed my mind and I silently cursed myself for being so stupid.
“Oh, Elijah. I didn’t hear you coming,” I startled as I stood back up. I hated showing anyone how vulnerable I truly was. He took his hand and gently wiped my cheek with the pad of his thumb. I looked down at my feet, embarrassed that he may have overheard the argument.
“Did that guy hurt you?” His eyes narrowed and the muscles of his angular jaw worked beneath his stubbled flesh. I could feel the difference between him and a pacifist like Grayson and an involuntary shiver racked my spine.
“No, no, I’ve done all this to myself,” I responded, my voice loaded with self-pity.
The corner of his mouth raised slightly in amusement, “It’s not the end of the world,” he cooed as he leaned in and kissed my cheek where my tears had been. His words were so absurd because we had been on the precipice of the end for a few years now and it was only a matter of time before humanity was lost. But he was right that my childish spat with a former boyfriend meant nothing in the grand scheme of things. None of it really mattered anymore. Rules and morals were things for people who were afraid to face tomorrow with a guilty conscience. Tomorrow was no longer promised.
I turned to meet his lips, pressing my mouth against his. My arms wrapped around his strong back, as his muscles flexed under my fingers, responding to my touch. Pushing the length of my body against him.
“So, I guess this is what you meant by not being alone. Perfect,” Grayson’s voice called from behind us. I turned, seeing his face filled with sadness before he threw his hands in the air and turned to leave again. I pushed back from Elijah, but his grip tightened on my waist.
“I should go after him.”
His hold on me didn’t relax.
“Don’t. He’ll be okay,” he said searching my eyes with his. “Live a little.” His eyebrow rose, challenging me.
Chasing Grayson would only lead him on further. The goal was to get him to stay away, not hurt him.
Staring into my