Page 47 of Guarded By Death
"Honey! Liv is here to say goodbye." Mom’s words make me frown, but then I smile knowing Liv will be safe away from me. I always miss her so much when she leaves every summer. I rush to the kitchen and practically knock her over with a hug.
She smiles, "I'm going to try to come back soon this time!" she promises.
"I wish you didn't have to go at all," I lie, I know that her being far away will bring so much peace to my soul. If only I could send everyone else I love far, far away from me they would all be safe.
Mom eats with us and heads out shortly before Pierce ‘arrives’ at the front door. We leave, following behind her in my car.
She told me I would be impressed with the beach house, and I already am from the looks of the manicured lawns as we roll through Brian’s street. I enjoy the salty breeze that circles through the open windows, hoping this trip will help to relax us both.
Pierce is oddly quiet as we pull down the driveway that’s lined with palm trees towards the yellow beach house at the end of a circular drive. He hasn't spoken much on the ride here and that worries me. He’s been content all week as we stayed in and kept a safe distance from anyone other than Mom. I pray everything goes smoothly and nothing bad happens when we're here.
Pierce's warm hand clamps onto my leg, his thumb gently rubbing back and forth to soothe me. The gentle, yet firm touch brings a smile to my face but as I look at him I note the scowl that has taken place where his dimples normally sit. Eyes focused strictly on the scenery ahead, his face slightly contorted. What has him so worked up?
I study him, but I can't understand his expression as we come to a stop. He seems on edge. I'm about to ask him what's wrong when Mom rips my door open, causing a small scream to escape my lips.
"We're here!" she sings, laughing at the jump scare. I step out, and she places her slender arm through mine. I look around at the exotic flowers that make up the landscape. I smile at the familiar seashell wind chime that's hanging on the porch, I bet she made it.
She claps her hands together once, her enthusiasm evident. "We’ll get your bags later." She gestures towards my parked car; Pierce is leaning against it watching us with a small smile.
He shakes his head. "I'll grab them."
Arm in arm, Mom and I walk towards the front door, "Why do you two always take your car, where is his?" she asks quietly.
"At the shop," I mumble.
She nods, "Oh, that's a shame. I hate when mine breaks down," she says as we walk into the foyer and head towards the kitchen. The walls look familiar, but I can't put my finger on it. I grew up at the beach so I'm guessing ocean décor is a familiar sight.
"This will be your room for the week." She gestures towards a room further down the hall. "I'll be staying across the house in another guest room." Her voice is quiet.
I hesitate, "Are you not staying in Brian's room?" The words sound weird coming out of my mouth.
She shrugs. "It doesn't seem appropriate." She twiddles her thumbs and I want to tell her it's okay, Brian seems great.
But it's just too soon for me to think of her in another man's room so I'm thankful she's taking me into account. This is new territory for both of us. I give her a wide smile, but it doesn't quite reach my eyes as we continue down the cream-colored hallway.
Our feet pass the slight lip of the threshold through an arched doorway into a large room. A driftwood bed frame catches my attention, decorated with a white plush comforter. Large crystal-clear glass doors lead out to the water. A familiar bathroom to my left.
I bring my trembling hand to cover my lips, trying to shove back the gasp that escapes them. I remember why this looks so familiar. I've been here, I was here...
"It's beautiful right! I knew you would love it." She squeals as she looks around the room. I'm thankful she's mistaken my horror for a positive shock.
"It's something," I mumble as Pierce walks in, a look of guilt on his face raises so many questions about why we came here of all places, and how he knows about it.
She gives me a small frown, "Kayla won't be coming until Monday, she had to work this weekend."
She looks pointedly between both of us, breaking our curious gaze at each other. "You can have the guest room across the hall, Pierce. Please make yourselves at home. I'm about to start lunch so I'll come get you when it's ready!"
When I hear her heels clicking against the kitchen tile, I close the gap between Pierce and I. Before I can speak, he does. "Outside?" He suggests and I nod.
He opens the familiar doors that lead to the sand. My stomach drops at the sight of him at the doorway just like before, my brain was foggy and I was a mess but I’ll never forget the way he looked at me for a brief moment before peeling his gaze to the water, not knowing at the time he was debating with himself to leave me.
I slip out of my flip flops as we near the sand. Pierce follows, stepping out of his boots. He keeps one hand on mine which makes it harder for him to remove them, but he refuses to let go.
The only sound that takes over is the wind and waves as we make our way straight out towards the ocean. He sits on a long piece of worn driftwood and brings me down to sit on his lap.
"I brought you here because I've checked on your mom here a few times." He admits and I nod in understanding, my hands still trembling from the vivid memories. "I thought you would want to be close to your house, I truly thought when you calmed down that you would want to be nowhere near me and I know you've never been here before but the familiarity of somewhere your mom has been was a nice place, I think."
I nod, "I get that, it's just hard to see. You made the choice to leave me here. My worst moments were spent in that room." I gesture dramatically towards the glass doors.