Checkmate (Sequel to Game On)

Chapter 30: Forgetting The Unforgettable

I go into the bathroom as I press the call button and turn on the shower, hoping it will drown my words in case Nick is watching, and I almost cry in relief and joy when Lindsey pick up.

By the sound of her voice, I can't hold myself anymore and the words leave my mouth as if it was some venom I want to get rid off as soon as possible.

I keep rambling and rambling and rambling for an eternity, telling her everything that is going through my head, and she listens to every word I say.

We talk for nearly two hours and even though there's nothing she can do, it feels good to share my chaotic feelings with someone else.

She wants me to come to America for a few days or weeks but I tell her that I can't and when she says that she'll come to England instead, I tell her no. We both know she can't do anything to help, no one can, and I have to reassure her ten times that I'll be fine without her by my side. She's only a phone call away and that's the last thing I tell her before we finally hang up.

I turn off the shower, that's been running for an eternity, and hope that it won't affect the water bill too much.

Martha and Roland are both up when I walk into the kitchen and even though they try their best to hide it, concern is shown on their faces as they see me.

"Honey, have you been up all night?" Martha asks me and I nod and force a weak smile onto my lips.

"Yeah, but don't worry", I tell her, "I'm fine. It's just like you said yesterday, I'm safe here, they won't find me. I just needed some time to accept the fact that they aren't behind bars, where they should be, anymore."

"Okay, sweetie", Martha says and give me a hug before pouring me a cup of coffee, which I gladly accept.

I get back to my room when the caffeine is starting to kick in and I spend a few hours drawing a picture of a chaotic city, putting my emotions into the paper in front of me, until Martha call on me from downstairs, telling me I got someone by the door.

I furrow my eyebrows at her words but put my sketchpad beside me on my bed and slowly make my way downstairs to the front door.

As soon as I see who it is, I groan in frustration and make sure Martha has left the hallway before I speak up.

"What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you, ask if we could grab a coffee or something", Shane says and I sigh.

"I just drank a cup, and I won't even say thanks anyway."

"Ale-"

"Celiné!" I correct him.

"Celiné", he says, "please. I get that you don't like me, I really do, but I just want to prove to you that I've changed."

I lean my body against the doorframe and look at him from head to toe. His eyes are pleading, his brown hair slightly messed up, and he is wearing a pair of washed out jeans together with a red flannel shirt underneath his black jacket.

"Maybe you have", I say uneasily, "but that doesn't change what happened. Seeing you brings back bad memories, Shane. If you haven't noticed already, I'm trying to start fresh and in order to do that, I have to leave the past behind..." I glance up at him through lowered lashes and nervously bite my bottom lip, "and you are in it."

I can hear him curse loudly and I flinch as he takes a step closer towards me, resting his arm on the wall beside the door frame, too close for my liking.

"Damn it, Celiné. Just give me a chance? If you want to start fresh, let's start fresh. Forget about what happened and pretend as if this is the first time we meet."