Faithless #2: A Tainted Love Serial by Nelson K.B

Author:Nelson, K.B. [Nelson, K.B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-12-15T08:00:00+00:00

* * *

FOUR YEARS AGO

The bus station is dead. Luke sits beside me on the bench, tapping his foot nervously against the dirty, green tiles. My head rests on my hand as I drift off, staring into a sea of nothing. We’re both silent and I prefer it that way. I’ve never been good with goodbyes—I question anyone who is.

To me, running isn’t something you give notice. It’s not like quitting a job and hand writing your two weeks. Running is more in line with a rollercoaster on the verge of crashing. You might be in on the secret that your world is about to crash to the ground even while everyone riding with you carries bliss with them over the next peak.

Sometimes I don’t make sense. That’s my normal. Sometimes I don’t want to make sense—that’s when I resort to lying.

“When are you coming back?” Luke asks while staring blankly ahead.

I turn to him with a broad, fake smile. “Someday.” The truth is I have no plans to ever come back. That’s another rule of running—you’re gone for good.

“I wish…” he begins to speak, but scratches the tip of his nose while he contemplates what comes next, “I wish you would tell me where you’re going… or why.”

I lean into him and plant a soft kiss on the side of his head. “You reach a point in your life when leaving seems to be the only thing left to do.”

“Then let me go with you.”

“Luke,” I say and comb my fingers through his hair before I continue with, “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“I’m going to be late for work.” He stands up and runs his hand over his mouth. “You’ll call?”

“I’ll call.” I glide to my feet and he throws his arms around me, nestling his head against my neck. “I promise.” That’s another lie. Maybe I will, maybe I won’t, but promises are best kept to the lips of liars—like myself.

“I love you,” he whispers. His breath landing against my neck sends cold shivers down my spine.

“I love you, too.” That’s not a lie, but it’s a truth that burns through my soul. I’ve never loved anyone the way I love these two boys, but this is something I have to do. “You should get to work.”

It’s his third week working at the local Burger Shack. It’s not much of a job, but it has the potential to keep him out of trouble. They say change comes slow, but I’ve already seen the colors of the leaves changing—he’s turning back into the fine young man I used to know, before tragedy sent him down a dangerous path of drug addiction.

He hugs me once more, wrapping his arms around me so tight that I’m unable to breathe. It’s the most comforting hug on this side of graduation day. He rubs his palms against my back once more before releasing me from his loving grip. He smiles, but I know it’s a façade.

“See you soon,” he says and then pats me on the shoulder as he walks away.

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