The Secrets that He kept (second book in the secrets that we keep series)

Chapter thirty seven (Hunter)

        Camille cooked dinner which was surprisingly not bad. We fell back into our old friendship easily and Ava got along with Camille better than expected. Tonight. I was going. I was running out of fucking time. After Ava showered I grabbed the car keys. I don't say anything as we walk out of the apartment building.

I was going to make sure Ava would be okay. And she wouldn't forget me. She held my hand as I drove to the small beach which was mostly deserted. It was nearly September after all. I parked and she climbed over the consul to my lap. I held her and she laid her head against my neck. Fuck. The love I felt for her was unbelievable.

"I love you." I whisper. I could feel the tears on her face slowly slide down my neck. "I love you so much." She cries and I hold her tight. I kiss her hair and she sobs into me. "Don't leave me please." I didn't respond. I couldn't. I feel my eyes twinge slightly. I was crying like a fucking pussy. But I didn't care.

This girl. Ava Mazzie. Kills me. She wasn't wearing a hat. No sunglasses. She was completely exposed to the public. And for once I didn't care. I hold her and look at the stars. Ava didn't move her head from the crook of my neck. She cries harder. And harder. I hold her tighter. And tighter. Your a fucking coward, I thought to myself. I don't force her back to her seat as I drive back to the apartment.

I carry her in, hold her in the elevator, and carry her in the apartment. Camille was still out. I set her down and kiss her. She kissed back and I savor it. I savor her. This could be the last time. I carry her to the bed and she curls onto my chest. She was still crying and I fucking hated myself.

I cry quietly with her and sobs rock her body. I don't know when she fell asleep. I move out from under her and I grab my bag I had already packed. I kiss her forehead. Her lips. Her face. I then wrote a note and took the chain off my neck. "Give it to the person you love the most." Marco's words ran through my head. I set the chain with the note.

I kiss her again and cover her with a blanket. I place the note and the chain next to her pillow. I don't look back as I walk out. I couldn't. I had to return to her. I walked out on the street and walked pass the car and started running. I knew where I needed to go.  Here take this, dont cry, give it to the person you love the most."