I watch as it dries, fingers crossed it won’t dry too light.
Even back when we were young, teenagers trying to act like we were adults, I never wrote him a letter and kissed it.
For some reason this makes my heart flutter. It’s like we’re dating again. The thrill is there, the foreplay since we can’t see each other is more acute than it’s ever been, and the desire I have to hold my husband near me is enough to make my stomach clench.
But I know, we’re going to be stronger because of this. We’ll come out on the other side better and a tighter unit. As much as this has hurt we’ve needed it, and I promise myself as I put his letter in the envelope and set it out to be picked up in the morning, I’ll never allow us to get here again.
The tools we have to prevent this are the best tools we’ve given ourselves, and we’ll use them for the rest of our lives.
Chapter Fourteen
Dalton
“Mail call.” Caelin drops an envelope on the couch in my dorm.
Stepping out from the bathroom, still brushing my teeth, I walk slowly over to where he placed it. From where I stand I can see it’s pink, and I truly have no idea who might send me a damn pink letter.
Tilting my head to the side as I keep brushing, I see the familiar feminine handwriting undeniably Mandy’s. Excitement makes me gasp, causing me to swallow a mouthful of toothpaste.
“Shit,” I cough, running back to the bathroom.
Bending down, I cup my palm and get as much water as I can before rinsing my mouth out. Hurrying, I dry my hands off as best I can, running back out into the dorm.
Walker’s gone to school, so I don’t feel bad when I shut the door from my room leading to his. This is private, perhaps even more than the first one. I’ve heard her voice now, the voice I know and love. It was full of life, and everything that makes Mandy, Mandy. It wasn’t the lifeless voice I’ve heard over the past few months.
This one was just like me.
Hopeful.
Same as the last time, I’m careful opening the flap, treating it like the treasure it is.
My eyes scan the words before I go back up to the top, and begin to read.
Dalton,
There are so many things I want to say to you, but instead, I think I’ll give you a list.
A list of all the things I love about you.
All the things I miss.
And everything I never thought I’d have again.
Whenever you feel like we aren’t connecting, pull this list out. It’ll remind us both of what we have, and we almost lost.
Your smile.
The way you sneak into my personal space at night and put your chin on my shoulder, burrowing your way into my neck. The soft kisses you leave, even when you’re asleep and don’t even realize you’re doing it.
The side of my mouth tilts up. “Oh, I’m never asleep, babe, I know exactly what I’m doing.”
I’m hit in the chest with a memory I haven’t had in a long time. Last year, New Year’s Eve last year, to be exact, we’d spent the night here at the dorms. Liam and Denise took all the kids while the adults let off some steam. This was before the betrayal, the baby, and everything else going to shit. Closing my eyes, I remember how she looked, wearing that little black dress that hugged all her curves tight, and the shoes she wore? Oh my God, those shoes.
I set the letter aside for a second and give myself over to a time when life wasn’t so serious.
“Where did you get them?” I hook my arm around her neck, holding onto the solo cup of Jack and Coke I have, pulling her close to me.
“Where did I get what?” She laughs when I tilt my cup, leaning in further so that I can take a drink.
Swallowing quickly, I press my lips against her ear. “Those shoes, they make me want to fuck you wearing nothing but whatever you have on under this dress and the shoes.”
“Really?” she questions, melting further back into my body.
“Yeah.” I take her weight, holding her up.
Looking over her shoulder, those gorgeous eyes of hers are hooded. “Promises, promises.”
“I’ll show you a promise or two.”
My arm loosens from around her neck. Using the momentum, I turn her around so she faces me. Bringing the cup to my lips, I finish off what’s left before tossing it in one of the trash cans we have sitting around. Reaching down, I grab her around the waist.
She screams, which causes attention to be focused on us. This is a rowdy group, raucous and wild since we have no little ears to hear or eyes to see. I haul her over my shoulder, smacking her ass when she kicks her feet slightly. I’ve known her long enough to realize it’s just for show, she loves what I’m doing.
There are cat calls and whistles as I carry her down the hallway.
“You didn’t have to do that.” She grips my shirt tightly. “I would have followed you anywhere.”
“Yeah I did.” I stop where I am, listening to make sure we’re alone. When I’m totally sure there’s no one who can either interrupt or hear us, I snake my hand up her thighs, in between her legs, and press against her core.
“Dalton,” she gasps.
Her panties are wet, her skin warm. “That all for me?”
“Yes,” she moans as I maneuver a finger into her channel. Her fingers dig into my back gripping my shirt, pulling it up when I use
