Author's Note: Thanks to Chelle and Katie for reviewing! I have a lot of people following this story, but only 2 people reviewing. You guys, if you like the story, please let me know. It makes me write faster :)
Chapter 4
Sookie skidded out of her driveway with a loud roar and gravel flying. She clenched her teeth so hard a sharp pain stung her jaw.
Gran's voice looped through her mind like a broken record. Drive. Keep driving. Back to Alcide's house.
"I can't be with Eric," she pounded the steering wheel with her fist. "I can't. Gran would hate it. And she would be right. I need to be away from him- from them."
She was running away. Fleeing the only real home she had ever known. But if that was what it took to get Eric out of her system- to get the smell of him off her flesh- it's what she would do.
She couldn't even remember the drive. The next thing she knew, she was standing in Alcide's driveway. His truck was there, the front porch light on, a soft light from the TV shining through the window. She unlocked the door and stood in the front hallway for a moment.
She closed her eyes and just listened.
Even though he was in the living room and had no clue she was there, his thoughts came rushing at her like a whirlwind. He was thinking about having the house repainted. He thought maybe she didn't like the color since Debbie picked it out. He was also thinking about building a gazebo in the backyard.
Normal things. Every day things. He was thinking about her. He wanted to make her happy. He wanted to give her normalcy- as much normalcy as a telepath and Were could have. The kind of guy who was going to introduce her to his family and take her to church on Sundays. Maybe the kind of guy she could have kids with. Have a small garden wedding. Probably have great sex- he was gorgeous. A guy she could pay bills with on Monday nights and go out to eat on Fridays.
It wouldn't always be thrilling and life or death like it was with Bill and Eric. But she craved just a day, a week, a month of normal.
She leaned against the wall, still listening. He was thinking about what color gazebo to build.
Bless him.
She felt a surge of affection for him and moved into the living room. "Hey," he turned down the TV. "What's wrong?"
She tried her face as blank as possible. "What do you mean?"
"Something happened. What's wrong?"
"Alcide- I just want to be away from it all," her voice caught but she was so tired she couldn't even cry. "My life is so screwed up it's not even funny. Gran would be ashamed of me."
"Nah, she wouldn't." he pulled her into his arms. "Did you see him?"
"He was at my house...waiting for me."
"I'll go handle him." He began to pull away but she wrapped her arms around him again.
"No, don't worry about it. He doesn't know I'm with you. Let's keep it that way for a while."
"Let's go away," he whispered into her hair.
"Go away? Where?"
"For the weekend. We'll leave now. I don't work tomorrow. Go pack a bag." He gave her a slight push toward her room.
"But where are we going? What do I pack?"
"Clothes. Go pack. I'll load the car."
She felt the small thrill of excitement. She went into her room, still smiling. A getaway sounded like what they needed. What she needed to get closer to Alcide.
Her smile died when she saw a text message. From Eric. She started to open it, then stopped. Focus on Alcide. She turned off the phone and slid it into the bottom of her suitcase.
"You almost ready?" Alcide called from the living room.
"Oh yeah. I'm SO ready."
