Begin Again

Chapter 6

Mack POV

"I'll miss you." I say.

Alex chuckles and pecks my lips, "I'll miss you too."

"I wish I could come. I could just skip work, stay with Ally's family."

"You have one week of school left." She says pointedly.

I sigh, "I know. I just wish you weren't leaving."

"Attached already?" She teases.

I close my eyes and feel her hands on my face.

I open my eyes, "Just, I like being around you. You make me happy."

She smiles, "You make me happy too."

I lean in and connect our lips, quickly exploring her mouth with my tongue.

She pulls away and pushes my hair back, "Now I don't want to leave."

I smile, "So if I keep kissing you, will you stay?"

She drops her head and laughs, "I have to leave eventually, you know."

I sigh and nod.

"Hey, what's wrong?" She asks and rubs my lower lip with her thumb.

I shake my head, "Nothing. Guess I am just attached already."

She sighs and searches my face, "You're not telling me the real reason."

I sigh, "You know, after Ally passed, I kept Riley home from preschool for like a month."

She stares at me and waits.

"She could've gone back. I mean she was sad, hurt, confused, but she would've been okay."

"But you weren't okay." She says.

I shake my head, "I didn't want to be apart from her. If I kept her home, nothing bad could happen."

She sighs, "Hey. I'll be back. Nothing bad is going to happen."

I nod, "Deep down, I know that. But I've experienced this horrible thing that makes me insecure."

She rubs my cheek, "Something really traumatic. It's okay to worry, but I'll be back before you know it."

I nod and lean in, pecking her lips.

"What time is your flight?" I ask.

"12. I have to head back home and get Charlie and my dad."

I whine.

She chuckles and pecks my lips then sits up.

"Hey, Riley's appointment is today, right?"

I sigh and nod, "We will see how it goes. Riley is like me, doesn't really like to talk about hard things with just anybody."

Alex smiles, "Well, you'll be there. Help her feel comfortable and safe."

I nod, "Yeah, that's true."

Alex grabs my hand, "She'll be okay. I know you're worried."

I stare at her, "Can't help but worry. I know she's struggling."

"Let me know if I can help." She says.

I look at my watch, "Okay. You have to go and I have to head to school."

"Happy that your mom took Riley to preschool so we could have a little alone time before I left." She says.

I nod, "Think she's just happy that I'm dating you."