Chapter 273: Cat and Mouse 29

Psych

“Psych.”

Bent over my bike, I straightened. Catching sight of Coppers face as he looked over my shoulder. At first I had thought it was one of the kids screaming my name. It was girly and breathless after all and both Lana and Danny had been begging me to stay for the last hour since I had arrived to say goodbye. I had a thought that Dana had something to do with that. Her eyes had grown all misty and round when I told her I was leaving. She had even asked if I was sure in a little whisper when Copper wasn’t around.

“Psych.” The voice came again. Breathless like she had been running down the drive and my back stiffened but I didn’t turn to her. I wasn’t ready to face her yet. I probably never would be.

Coppers lips thinned, taking a step forward he clapped me on the shoulder. “Safe travels brother.” There was a pause and the sound of two people hugging and then he walked back to the house that used to be Xander’s but now housed his mix matched family and I was happy that he had found happiness. I really was.

But I also kind of hated them all for the love they had in their lives.

“What do you want Cat?” I asked, back ramrod straight.

“I came to talk.” Her voice cracked and she trailed off. Pain blossomed in my chest because damn if she didn’t sound broken. Like I was ripping her heart out.

“Now is not a good time.” Sighing I fastened the last strap on my saddle bag. And then checked its tightness even though I knew it was secure.

“Raven told me you’re leaving. I’m guessing now is the only time we have.”

Her words made me whirl around. Confused, I searched her face. Flushed cheeks, curls standing on end. She looked like she had run here. I opened my mouth to ask where her car was and promptly closed it again.

“Raven told you?”

“Yes.” She puffed out a breath, her chest heaving. “I went to his first but Daisy said you had already left to come here to say goodbye.” She huffed, bending over with her hands on her knees as she fought to catch her breath. “My car broke down about a mile away.” She explained.

“Ok.” I didn’t know what to say to that. I didn’t even know why she was here. “I’m still not getting why you ran here? What do you want, Cat?”

A flicker of uncertainty entered her eyes. She bit that plump bottom lip that I had missed so much the last few days without her.

It was crazy to me, how quickly I had fallen for her. Days. Maybe not even days. I was pretty sure I fell in love with her the second I saw her.

But she had made it clear, over and over again that there was no space for me in her heart. She had even said so herself.

She could never love me.

And I was just torturing myself by hoping.

“I didn’t,” she stuttered to a stop. “I didn’t want you to leave without saying goodbye.”

I blinked at her. Maybe I had been hoping for something else. Maybe some grand proclamation of love but no. She just wanted to say goodbye.

“You already said goodbye the other night, Cat. No need to say it again.” Shoulders hunched forward,  I took a deep breath and stepped away from her. Space was always good when she was near because I couldn’t think clearly when she was close.

“I don’t want you to leave.”

Her words took me completely by surprise. My feet faltered. “What?” A quick sweep of my eyes over her face told  me she was almost hyperventilating she was so nervous.

Nervously she plucked at the frayed hem of her shorts. Her eyes on the gravel. “I don’t want you to do Psych.” She muttered again, only this time she sounded even less certain.

“Why?”

She kicked a little pebble. Sending it skidding away. “I don’t know. I just-“

“Not good enough Kitty Cat.” Sadness tightened my chest and made it hard to breathe but I stood my ground.

“I saw Raven at the cemetery and when he told me you were leaving I was frantic.” She took a step forward. Her hands coming down to rest on my chest. Searing hot handprints over my heart.

“He said everyone knows, that they are happy for us.” She tilted her chin up to meet my eyes.

“I could have told you that Cat. I did tell you that. The only person who wasn’t happy was you.”

She blinked at my words. “It’s hard for me.” She admitted. “Hard to move on but I’m trying ok. I am trying. If we can just go back and-“

I caught each of her wrists in my hands, pulling them around my neck and circling her waist with my arms. I curved my body around hers. Kissing her lips softly.

Then I stood back and dropped my hands to my side. “No.”

Surprise tightened her features. “What do you mean no?”

“No.” Fuck even saying the words hurt. I gave the smallest of shrugs. “I’m not going to be you plaything Cat. What I told you the other night is true. I am falling in love with you.”

“And I could , I mean if we-“

“No.” I cut her off again. More firmly this time. “I can’t stick around on the off chance you might love me back. I deserve more than that. You love Chase, I get that but he’s gone and until you are ready to really move on then anyone who gets involved with you will just have their heart broken.”

A single tear slipped down her cheek. “Please Psych.” She whimpered her bottom lip trembling. “I’m really trying.”

I captured her lips one last time. My own tears spiking my lashes. “I know you are kitty cat, I know. Be happy ok. Heal and find someone who makes you happy.” I took a step back from her and then another before turning my back to her completely and swinging my leg over the bike.

She stood there. Beautiful face ashen. Lips trembling.

“I am sorry that someone wasn’t me.”