Under the Viaduct, H. Anderson [top young adult novels .TXT] 📗

I’m just really worried about you. I keep envisioning all the bad things that could happen to you.” He looked out the windshield and ran his hand through his hair, clearing his throat. His voice came out quieter and a little raspy. “I can’t stand it. Those thoughts. They’re making me crazy and you haven’t even left yet.”

Kaylee stopped the car near the viaduct. She swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat at his words. All anger gone as she realized how much he cared about her despite all the half-truths and secrets she’d kept from him. Despite his feelings of shame for needing her help. Kaylee wanted to deserve his worry, wanted to be good enough and strong enough to be worthy of him. She reached for his hand and his fingers closed around hers in a tight grip. She whispered, “I’ll be okay, Blayne. I promise.”

He squeezed her hand, still staring out the front window. “I hope so.”

Over the next few days, Kaylee stopped to check on Mama C every day. Blayne was distant, only talking to her about Mama’s condition. No sign that their thwarted first kiss was going to happen any time soon.

Mama seemed to be improving. Her fever broke on the second day of antibiotics, though her cough still worried Kaylee. She was eating and drinking better, but her stamina was still next to nothing. Blayne had kept some of the money from his paycheck, but had given the rest to Kaylee to keep safe for him. He’d used that money to buy more groceries for Mama and the kids.

Tuesday evening, Kaylee went to check on Mama one last time before her trip to New York the next day. After making sure she’d taken her medicine and eaten a good portion of her soup, Kaylee rose to leave.

“Kaylee,” Blayne said. “Wait.”

Her heart stuttered as he put his arm around her waist and led her off toward her car, stopping a few paces away. “I’m sorry,” he looked down, “I know I haven’t been fun to be around these last few days.” He put his hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eyes.

The warmth from his hands spread through the fabric of her coat as his eyes burned into hers.

He swallowed. “I just don’t want anything to happen to you.” He looked up at the dark sky and exhaled, blowing a wisp of steam into the air. His voice shaking, he continued, “I really like you. And I want to see where this is going with us.”

When he looked back down at her, his eyes glistened with unfallen tears. “I’m terrified that something will happen to you.”

Kaylee had never seen his tough-guy exterior crack so drastically. Her heart ached. She threw herself against him and hugged him hard enough to crack a rib or two. “I’m going to be fine,” she mumbled against his chest. “I’ll be careful, I promise.”

His arms enveloped her and he laid his cheek against the top of her head. They stood that way for several minutes, wrapped in each other’s warmth as the cold wind swirled around them.

With a deep sigh, Blayne loosened his hold and leaned back to look into Kaylee’s eyes. “I know I can’t talk you out of going. Because you’re as stubborn as a mule—or a drug addict.” He smiled ruefully. “Kelly, my boss, gave me a cell phone yesterday. She said she needs to be able to get ahold of me, and the company will pay for it.”

“That’s great,” Kaylee said. For her and for me.

“It is,” Blayne agreed. “They’ve been really great to me.” He cleared his throat and continued, “Kaylee, will you please text or call me when you get to your hotel? And when you leave your hotel. And when you get back to your hotel, and anytime day or night just so I know you’re safe?”

Kaylee snort-laughed. Embarrassing. At least the embarrassment kept the threatening tears at bay. “How about this, I’ll text you whenever I leave somewhere and get somewhere. And I’ll call you when I’m in for the night.”

Blayne released a held breath. “Deal.”

She took his phone and entered her number into his contacts. “Text me so I have your number. You know I’m only going to be gone for a couple of days. I fly out tomorrow morning and I’ll be back here early Friday evening.”

“What time does your flight come in on Friday?”

“Four o’clock.” She shivered as the breeze picked up and swept her hair into her face.

Moving the hair out of her face with a gentle touch, Blayne said, “I’ll see you then. You’d better get going before you freeze.” His gaze lingered on her lips for a second then he gave her a quick hug, walked her the rest of the way to her car, and opened the door for her.

As the plane landed, Kaylee swallowed down a huge lump of anxiety that had taken up residence in her throat. She switched her phone off airplane mode and tapped a ride-share app as they taxied to the gate. Transportation taken care of from the airport to her hotel, Kaylee leaned back and closed her eyes, going over her plan again. Her thoughts quickly drifted to Blayne. She opened her eyes and sent a text to him.

Just landed.

Her phone buzzed as she exited the plane with her carry-on. She stepped to the side, out of the way of the other passengers as soon as she entered the terminal.

Blayne: Good glad you made it there let me know when you get to the hotel

Ugh, no punctuation, she thought with a smile.

Blayne: Make sure the ride-share driver is really a ride-share driver check the license plate number

Kaylee rolled her eyes. Now he sounded like her dad. She texted back, Will do.

She exited the airport and went to the pick-up spot, looking down at her phone. Blue Prius. License plate # DWS 4376.

A blue Prius pulled up to the sidewalk several