chapter six, trouble
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{The Stable Song ⋆ Gregory Alan Isakov}

Grace had never felt more alive.

The windows were rolled down, her hair a tangled mess in the wind, but none of that mattered because she was happy.

So happy that her cheeks ached from smiling and her chest held a comfortable warmth.

That her head was clear from her mother's voice, and she could finally just be.

Just exist in a world without sorrow.

Without her family's burden.

They had been on the road for maybe ten minutes, passing through town and heading north of it.

Neither of them had talked, but it was a comforting silence.

One that Grace longed for before bed.

The radio still played faintly, and Grace made sure to switch out the CDs after their tracks were finished.

The song "The Stable Song" was playing, and Grace quietly hummed along to it.

Cole would occasionally glance over at her, as if he would forget what she looked like in this moment. Her hair dancing around in the air, her cheeks flushed from the cold air, and a smile like no other.

But who was he kidding, he knew he could never forget her.

Grace let her hand rest outside the window, feeling the breeze slip between her fingers.

She couldn't remember the last time she let the air flow through her, allowing it to continue its path instead of nipping at her skin.

She spread her fingers wide, moving her hand slowly back and forth.

"We're almost there," Cole said, interrupting her thoughts. He glanced over at her, his gaze lingering.

Grace raised her eyebrows, smiling.

"Keep your eyes on the road," she said, half-laughing. Cole swore he could listen to that sound for the rest of his life.

His face flushed, and he returned his gaze back to the road, but Grace's lingered.

He had never told her where they were going, and despite asking, he just smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

Not knowing would have driven Grace crazy, but this time around, she didn't mind not knowing.

In fact, where they were headed didn't matter at all to her; she just wanted this feeling to last a bit longer.

He turned a corner and continued driving down a long dirt road. They hadn't seen a house for miles, and all that was left for them to see was vast fields and forest.

It was a complete contrast to her town, which lacked any natural element. The townhouses being all the same size, and the streets narrow.

Before she knew it the truck came to a gradual stop, and she locked eyes with Cole, his lopsided grin prompting a reciprocal smile from her.

He removed the keys out of the ignition, and without uttering a word, he exited the car.

{Huh?}

Grace observed him walking away and, in response, unlocked her side of the truck and stepped out.

The brisk air greeted her instantly, and she took a deep breath, letting it chill the back of her throat and settle on her skin.

The truck, parked nearby, continued to softly play the song as she approached his side.

With hands in his pockets, Cole stood, smiling down at her. She briefly glanced at him before shifting her gaze past him.

It was breathtaking.

A river lay below, surrounded by a variety of trees and rocks. Grace couldn't take her eyes off it, the rushing water hitting against the shore.

She felt each wave crash over her.

Through her.

"It's pretty, isn't it?" Cole asked, taking a step closer to her.

Her eyes roamed, tracing the river down and up into the horizon.

A light laugh escaped her lips as she replied, "It's more than that," finally turning her gaze toward Cole.

Swaying on his feet, he smiled out at the river. Grace's eyes followed his side profile, pausing at his mouth.

She wouldn't admit it, but in that exact moment, the thought of kissing him lingered.

Repeating in her mind.

Until her mouth carried the taste of him and his lips were left red and swollen.

Until—

"Grace?" Cole uttered, her name resembling a whispered prayer.

Her cheeks flushed, and she swiftly averted her gaze, attempting to conceal the reddened tint on her face. 

Cole's light laughter resonated across the quiet field, intensifying the ache in Grace's heart.

Moving forward, he walked ahead, and Grace titled her head, watching him. A few feet in front of her, he halted, turning to face her.

Raising his hand, he asked, "Are you coming?"

Grace grinned, her cheeks aching as she extended her hand, placing it atop his.

Her heart skipped a beat at his touch.

He drew her closer, and together, they descended the hill.

Cole's fingers gradually entwined with Grace's, sending a warmth shooting up her arm.

As they reached the bottom, the river lay just a few feet in front of them, and the rhythmic sound of the waves caressing the surface filled the air.

It was a comforting sound, one that ebbed and flowed with each passing moment.

Finally releasing Grace's hand, Cole stretched it out before stepping forward.

His touch lingered in the palm of her hand, and she resisted closing it.

"How did you find this place?" She asked, observing as he bent down, settling at the edge of the rocks. His feet dangled over the edge, brushing against the water's surface.

He fell silent for a moment, his head lowered as he gazed at the water.

"I guess I was desperate," he admitted, shrugging. "I needed somewhere to go."

Grace glanced at his back, and she could swear she witnessed him momentarily hold his breath.

Allowing the words to linger in the air, she stepped forward and settled on the ground beside him.

He remained still.

His eyes fixed on the river below him.

{Why won't they leave the river?}

"I wish I'd met you earlier," she uttered, her gaze extending beyond the river to the other side. "I think we could've helped each other."

They lapsed into silence; the conversation carried by the sound of waves.

Grace truly believed it.

If she had met Cole Walter just a few weeks after her mother's passing, she would be an entirely different person.

Her mother's voice wouldn't linger in her head, and she wouldn't need to pretend because Cole always understood.

He knew her like nobody else.

"I don't," he said just above a whisper, and Grace glanced over at him.

His gaze was fixed on her, and his eyes held an unusual lightness.

"If I had met you earlier, I would have never truly had you," he explained, his breath short.

Grace's heart skipped a beat.

{What?}

{What does that mean?}

Her gaze descended to his chest, rising and falling with each short breath he took.

She swallowed before asking, "What does that mean?"

His eyes remained fixed on her, lips slightly parted.

His cheeks tinged with red, and Grace wondered if it was from the cold or their conversation, but his cheekbones carried a hint of crimson.

"I mean," he explained, exhaling slowly, "what we share is rooted in who we are, and I don't want to know the person you were before."

Grace felt a tightness in her chest.

She had to consciously remind herself to inhale.

To exhale.

"I like who you are now, Grace," he added softly.

Grace's breath sank to her stomach, bubbling as she forced herself to inhale and exhale.

Cole's words echoed in her mind, on her tongue, in her throat.

I like who you are now.

She remained silent for a moment, her gaze fixed on the blonde boy before her.

His hair messily framed his face, his eyes focused on the ground between them, and his lips—

His lips.

A breath bubbled up from the pit of her stomach, and when it surfaced, Grace lifted both her arms, grabbing either side of Cole's face.

Swiftly, she pulled him closer, pressing her lips against his, and the taste of coffee and peppermint mingled in her mouth.

An unexpected soft groan escaped Cole, causing Grace to pull away.

"Are you—"

Cole interrupted her with another kiss, this one more desperate. His hand slid to the back of her head, fingers weaving into her hair.

The touch sent shivers through her body, and she gripped his shirt, yearning for that sensation.

"Grace," Cole murmured against her lips, his hands traveling to the sides of her face. "Fuck."

Reluctantly, he pulled away, cradling Grace's face in his hands.

His lips were red and swollen, and she couldn't help but smile a little.

"What?" Cole asked, breathless.

She just shook her head, leaning into him and kissing him lightly.

He smiled against her lips.

"You're trouble, Grace Calaway."

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━ Authors note!

First of all, let me just scream internally...

I was dying writing this.

Vote and comment if you enjoyed!
It means the world to me.
I love you all. Stay hydrated.