Chapter 29
Sierra had fallen asleep in the car without even realizing it.
By the time she woke up, it was already late at night, and the car had stopped in front of a hotel.
She opened her eyes-and met Chase’s gaze through the rearview mirror.
One second. Two seconds.
Chase’s face turned a little red as he hurried to explain, “You were sleeping so soundly, I didn’t want to wake you. It’s really
late, and I thought we could rest here for the night instead of risking fatigue on the road.”
The truth was, he just wanted more time with her.
He didn’t want to go back to school so soon.
Once they returned, they’d go back to being just a student and her teaching assistant.
Sierra glanced out the window, then pushed open the door. “Fine. Let’s get a room.”
They each booked separate rooms and checked in.
But not long after she lay down, there was a knock at her door.
Chase’s voice came through. “The water’s out in my room Mind if I borrow your shower?”
When Sierra opened the door, she was met with the sight of him dripping wet, soap suds still in his hair, wrapped in
nothing but a towel.
She frowned but didn’t say a word. Instead, she turned and walked back to the bed, clearly giving silent permission.
Chase lit up for a second-only to be immediately shot down.
“Shower, then leave,” she said flatly.
But the very next second, the lights in the room flickered and then went out completely.
“Ah-!”
Sierra screamed, recoiling instantly.
She was terrified of the dark.
As a child, she once accidentally spilled Maddie’s milk. Her parents had thrown her out into the yard during a
thunderstorm as punishment.
Pitch-black skies, roaring thunder, lightning striking like a whip.
The memory still haunted her.
She shrank into the corner of the bed, fumbling for her phone in the darkness.
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Chase heard her scream and rushed over in a panic.
“Sierra, it’s okay-I’m here!”
He reached out, trying to gently pull her into his arms.
But just as he got on the bed, she switched on her phone flashlight and turned to glare at him.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Get out.”
She was shaking-visibly scared-but she didn’t soften.
Chase’s heart ached at the sight.
“I swear I’m not trying anything,” he said quickly. “I was just worried. I’m here just in case that-”
“Out,” she said again, cutting him off.
He had no choice but to leave.
Alone in the room, Sierra sat by the door, flashlight in hand, arms wrapped tightly around herself.
Back then, during that stormy night, there had been no one.
And now-still no one.
There never would be.
The next morning, Sierra insisted on driving herself back to campus.
Chase tried to stop her. “You didn’t sleep well last night. Look at your dark circles-let me drive.”
“I’m fine.” She brushed past him coldly.
She already saw through him.
Left with no choice, Chase got into the passenger seat. He kept stealing glances at her as the scenery whirred by outside the window.
Eventually, he worked up the courage to speak. “Sierra… can we start over?”
“No.”
Her answer was swift, cold, and final.
Chase’s throat tightened. His lips parted but no words came out.
It took him a long moment to try again.
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“I really like you. What happened back then was all a misunderstanding.”
“I know I don’t deserve it. But can’t you just give me a shot to chase you again? Stop pushing me so far
Once, they had promised to be each other’s one and only. To be closer than anyone else.
Now, she wouldn’t even look at him.
She stared straight ahead. “Keep staring at me like that and I’ll pull over so you can walk.”
Chase instantly looked away.
He turned his head toward the window, looking like a kid who just dropped his last piece of candy.
