Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 75783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“David Cornwall, 52, found dead in his Palo Alto home after an electrical fire whilst he was sleeping. David is survived by his wife, Caroline, and stepdaughter, Irena.” I read the words out loud, but somehow, they still don’t register for a few beats. Then it clicks. He’s gone.
The memory of being fourteen and forcibly made to give him a blowjob resurfaces alongside images of him lying in bed at night being swallowed by flames.
“Dawson, did you...” I stare at him with wide eyes, not knowing how I’m supposed to react to this. A part of me should be horrified that he would go to such great lengths to do something like this. But I’m not. I’m relieved that he’s gone.
“I made sure he suffered before he died,” Dawson says in a whisper. I look around nervously to ensure nobody else can hear, but everyone is still focusing on their own work.
I let out a long exhale and feel a weight I have grown so used to carrying disappear from my shoulders. Dave is gone. He was a monster, and he abused me, like he very well might have other people. He’s not going to hurt anyone now, not ever again.
“I don’t know what to say.” I shake my head and look down at the newspaper, still in awe of the news.
“You don’t have to say anything at all. Consider this a formal apology for everything I put you through,” Dawson says, still whispering. “I know this doesn’t even begin to make up for it, but I just wanted you to know that I am doing everything I can to keep you safe.”
I nod appreciatively, and he stands up, preparing to leave. “Wait. Why don’t you stay for coffee?”
Dawson stares at me with a warm smile and immediately nods. He orders a black coffee from the counter and sits across from me as he holds it between his hands. He takes a sip and contorts his face in disgust.
“This is like drinking gasoline,” he jokes, pushing the coffee aside.
“I guess college students don’t have the most discerning palates.” I laugh as I grab the coffee and sniff it. Dawson watches me with a calm smile as we slip into a brief moment of normalcy—everything in the past temporarily forgotten while we sit here together. It’s nice.
Dawson asks me about school and classes, and if I’ve been drawing anything for any of them that I might want to show him. I tell him everything I can, maybe a little too much. I tell him all about the classes and the other students I’ve met. He’s excited to hear that it sounds like I have friends now. Plus, I’ve been staying in contact with Ella.
We talk until the cafe closes, and Dawson walks me back to my dorm room. I’m tempted to lead him upstairs to show him how I’ve decorated it, how it will go against everything he believes in for decorations. There’s too much color everywhere for him. I stop myself before I utter the words to invite him though.
Bringing him upstairs is a bad idea. Even if there’s a part of me that wants to wrap my arms around him and hold him close, I know it’s foolish. We need time apart. I have to find a way to let everything go.
“This is me,” I say as I point to the door.
“I should get going too,” Dawson says, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “It was really nice getting to talk to you, though. I wish we could do it again sometime. But I understand that might not happen.”
“Thank you. For everything you’ve done,” I say, taking a step closer and wrapping my arms around him for a hug. He holds me close, and I feel the desire in his body as he squeezes me tight.
When we finally pull away, he looks down at me with a smile, brushing the hair behind my ear and cupping my cheeks in his hands. Before I know it, his lips are pressed against mine, and it feels like everything is as it should be.
It’s only a brief kiss, and I’m more surprised when he pulls away than I was when he kissed me to begin with. I almost wish he would lean down and kiss me again, but instead he backs away.
“Goodbye, Harper,” Dawson says, giving me a reluctant wave and turning around to leave.
I stand motionless by the entrance to the dorm watching him walk away without turning back. It feels like a final goodbye. I know I should be relieved by that because this is a chapter of my life that’s closing now. I have nothing but the future to look forward to, and that should be exciting.
But as he disappears in the distance, my heart breaks. I can’t get Dawson off my mind because I’ve fallen for him. I’m in love with someone I can’t be with.