24. Frankie

My shoes slamagainst the pavement, my lungs burn in my chest, and my head is thankfully clear for the first time in weeks. The sun just begins to crest over the horizon, casting a soft golden glow that bathes everything in a warm light, and the humidity isn't as bad, allowing my lungs to burn only from exertion.

It's early, far earlier than I'm usually awake, but I couldn't sleep. Reading about the cipher kept me up well past the usual hour I like to fall asleep. I'm running on caffeine and pure stubbornness today—a combination that I've normalized, unfortunately.

As I round the back of the island where the field is, the rugby team comes into view, and a knot tightens in my stomach. It's Leo. I haven't seen him in days, and even the distant sight of him sends a jolt of nervous excitement through me. Why today? I think, frustration mingling with anticipation. My runs are my escape, my time to be alone with my thoughts. Seeing him now, so unexpectedly, disrupts the careful balance I've maintained between my solitude and the world I'm usually part of. I pause, tempted to turn back, yet something about the way he moves, so carefree and focused, anchors me in place.

It's absurd, feeling disrupted on a college campus known for its early risers, yet here I am.

My thighs burn as I move closer, feeling every bit the voyeur as my gaze immediately seeks out Leo and Matteo among the players. The air is punctuated by shouts, the sounds growing louder as I draw nearer. Suddenly, a loud call slices through the field, and I see Leo charging toward Matteo, who crouches. The ball spirals gracefully through the air, and in a moment that seems choreographed by the gods of sport, Leo steps onto Matteo's cupped hands and is vaulted skyward.

A gasp escapes me, freezing me in my tracks. My eyes widen, my breath caught in my throat as Leo soars through the air with almost supernatural grace, snatching the ball from its lofty heights. His laughter rings across the field as he lands, Matteo catching him in a seamless motion, their shouts mingling with their laughter.

A buzzer sounds sharply, cutting through the excitement, and the coach's voice booms, "Hit the showers! Rest up. We have our first scrimmage tonight." A twist of regret pinches my stomach. I won't be able to make it, though I never promised I'd be there.

Turning away, I try to jog on, pushing the image of the field and its electrifying energy out of my mind. I crank up the volume on my earbuds, letting the moody music drown out my racing thoughts. The melody swirls around me, a temporary shield against the pull of the past few moments.

Before long, I'm past the field, the burning in my lungs pulling me back to reality. I'm so absorbed in my efforts to outrun everything that I don't notice the figure beside me until Leo jumps in front, jogging backward with that ridiculous, infectious smile.

Slowing, I pull out my earbuds, my muscles stinging with the effort. "How are you doing that?" I ask breathlessly, more than a little impressed by his effortless backward run.

"It's my superpower." He winks, his voice playful. "Coming to the scrimmage?"

It's the question I dreaded. Shaking my head, I feel a pang of genuine regret, a rare sensation for missing out. "It's Friday night. I work," I admit, nibbling on my lip and avoiding his gaze.

Leo's expression falls into an exaggerated pout, making him look like a disappointed, oversized puppy, but just as quickly, his smile returns, a mischievous glint gleaming in his eyes. "You'll just have to make it up to me."

I almost choke on my breath, my steps faltering as I slow to a walk. The words "make it up to me" echo in my head, stirring a whirlpool of memories. Owing someone something always comes with a price, I think, a shadow of old fears creeping over me. I turn to him, trying to mask the sudden tightness in my chest. "Make it up to you?" My voice cracks slightly, betraying my cool exterior.

"Yep." He pops the P with a cheeky grin, still jogging backward. "I'm thinking a coffee date. You owe me one steaming cup of companionship. Consider it a latte penalty for missing the game!" His playfulness is disarming, and despite my attempts to keep things light, his flirty demeanor stirs something within me that makes the early morning air feel charged with possibility.

As we slow to a stop, the distance between us feels electric, our breaths mingling in the cool air. His gaze lingers on mine, making every nerve in my body hum with an unspoken question. Could this be more than just a missed game?

Leo's eyes sparkle with a playful challenge. "So, about making it up to me," he starts, his voice a gentle tease that warms the cool morning air. A reluctant smile tugs at my lips. His lightness feels like a balm, yet it stirs a deep-seated unease within me. Am I ready for this? The question lingers between us.

"Oh, really?" I raise an eyebrow, trying to match his light tone while my heart thumps erratically. My curiosity is definitely piqued, but there's also hesitation and fear over what letting someone in might entail. "Do these ideas involve me running more laps around this field, or something that could lead to more heartache?"

He laughs, a sound that seems to dance in the early morning air. "No, nothing so strenuous. I was thinking more along the lines of coffee." His suggestion hangs between us, bold and unexpected. "You know, you could come watch the game after work, and then after the game, we could grab a bite. Sort of a consolation prize for missing out."

"Coffee?" I repeat, the word sounding far more significant than it should.

He's asking me on an official date.

"Yeah, coffee," he confirms with a nod, his smile broadening. "Since that is how we met, you know. I know this great little place not far from here. It's quiet, cozy, and perfect for, let's say, making amends."

The idea of spending more time with him outside the confines of campus sends a flutter through my chest. "And what if I can't make the game? Does the offer still stand?"

"Absolutely," he assures me quickly, stepping a bit closer. "The coffee date is about you making it up to me, not the game. Though, I'll admit, having you there would make the win even sweeter."

His forwardness leaves me momentarily breathless. "I'll think about it," I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Don't think too long," he quips, winking. "I might start thinking you're avoiding me, and I'll just have to keep showing up with coffee until you say yes."

Avoiding him was the last thing on my mind right now.

Leo's eyes light up with a sudden, brilliant idea, as if a spark was just ignited in his mind. "You know what would be even better?" he suggests, his enthusiasm bubbling over. "Why don't you show me around the island right now? I mean, you did promise me."

The proposal catches me off guard, excitement and nerves fluttering through me. "Right now?" I echo, glancing around at the quiet morning that envelops the campus. "I promised a night walk."

"Yeah, why not?" Leo grins, his energy infectious. "It's the perfect time. Hardly anyone is around, and the morning is too beautiful to waste." The early light filters through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground that dance as we move.

I consider it for a moment then nod, swept up in his spontaneity. "Okay, let's do it. There's actually a lot to see that you'd miss if you just stick to the usual paths." We start walking, leaving the rugby field behind. I lead him toward a narrow, hidden trail that winds through a small patch of woodland and down to my favorite cove. "This is one of my favorite spots," I tell him as I lead him down the trail. "Most people come here for parties."

Leo looks around, clearly impressed. "This is amazing," he says, his voice softening with awe. "It feels like we're miles away from everything." The chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves underfoot complement his words, enhancing the sense of seclusion.

As the sun rises higher, sweat beads on my brow, and the humidity slowly increases. The wind whips my ponytail around, and the sound of the waves crashing on the beach eases my anxiety about coming down here with Leo.

"Do you come here a lot?" He toes off his shoes, setting them on a rock, then sinks his feet into the sand.

I side-eye him. He's an oddity to me—kind and always showing up with a contagious smile. "It's quiet." I follow suit and toe off my old running shoes and set them beside his. "I made the mistake of coming here one day after class, and Tori followed me," I begin. "After that, it became a spot for parties." It still bugs me that she took over this space.

Most of them don't venture into the cave though. I look over my shoulder, my words falling from my lips without thought. "Want to see something cool?"

Leo's eyes light up, and he steps closer to me. He smells like sweat, and the weirdest part about it is the fact that I don't hate the smell. I like it.

Raising a blond brow, he asks, "And what would that be?"

I grab his hand and lead him toward the mouth of the cave. "Are you afraid of the dark?" I question.

"Not since I was little," he admits. "I have three older sisters, and they aren't as nice as the world promised they would be."

I bite back a laugh. "What does that even mean?" I touch the cavern wall with my free hand to keep us on the right path.

"Well, sisters are supposed to make me more in tune with feminine needs, which it totally did, don't get me wrong, but most of my childhood was spent breaking up their fights."

"Girls are wild." I laugh, remembering all the foster sisters I've had over the years.

"Do you have any siblings?" he asks.

It's an innocent question, but it's one that makes my chest ache. I don't know why I'm humoring him. Opening up to people only causes hurt and pain. Giving someone a piece of you is a risk, no matter how comfortable you feel with that person. Opening up to Leo, even just a little, is a risk, but my mouth starts moving and words fall out, which is something I'll have to dissect later.

"I had foster siblings," I tell him as we make our way through the welcome darkness. "Well, I had foster siblings. I don't talk to any of them anymore." Except Bishop. "We were never close. Most of us were just fighting for survival in a world that didn't want us."

"You're wanted," Leo whispers behind me.

I shrug his words off as the sound of running water slowly greets me. "I always wondered what it would be like to have siblings and have that one person who always had your back."

"It's nice," he admits. "Even if I'm trying to keep them alive."

I'm thankful when the little space I keep a secret opens up before us, and I step to the side. My eyes land on my little pallet of blankets, and I internally wince. I need to come down here to collect them and take them to get washed.

"Whoa." He laughs as he steps inside.

There isn't much light in here, but there is a small slice of sunlight that finds its way in from the waterfall above. "It's magical down here."

I step over to the hot spring. It would honestly feel amazing on my muscles right now. I can almost hear thunder rumble in the distance, but the light streaming down from above never wavers. "Peaceful.

Leo's head tilts to the side, his eyes searching mine as if he's trying to read an unspoken story written in my gaze. "You come here alone?" he asks, his voice a mix of curiosity and something softer, almost protective.

I pause before answering, feeling the warmth of the spring against my toe as I dip it into the water. The heat seeps into my skin, mirroring the warmth spreading through me, chased by an unexpected shiver of vulnerability. "I do," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nods thoughtfully then points to the pallet of blankets nestled in the corner of the cove. "And you sleep down here?" His tone holds no judgment, only curiosity that feels too intimate, too close.

I wrap my arms around myself, the air suddenly feeling cooler against my wet skin. "Sometimes campus is just too loud," I admit, avoiding his gaze as I look out over the water. "And here... I can just relax." My words hang in the air, heavy with nights spent seeking peace in the solitude of this hidden place. How can I tell him that my nightmares don't reach me here? That I can sleep through the night, and I don't have to pretend to be someone I'm not?

He grunts as he steps into the heated water. As he walks past me, he whips off his shirt, tossing it to the side.

My eyes are instantly drawn to his back where his muscles ripple. I'm so focused on his back that when he stops and whips off his shorts, I'm momentarily shocked.

Laughing like a lunatic, he tosses them on the rock and dives under the water.

I look at the ceiling then back to him, then up at the ceiling.

He emerges, and I can't help myself. He's like a drug, and I'm an addict. I just need one more dose of him before I'll be able to get through the day.

When he breaks the surface, there's a challenge in his eyes. "Swim with me." His voice carries a playful lilt, but beneath it, there's a hint of something more—an invitation to share in this moment.

I do want to get clean.

Nibbling on my cheek, I use a finger to indicate he needs to turn around. He obliges, and I slowly peel off my sweaty shorts and sports bra, tossing them beside his clothing. The fabric makes a soft sound as it hits the rock. Then, I wade into the water, feeling its cool touch against my heated skin. The moment the water envelops me, it feels as if all my worries begin to dissolve. I sink below the surface, letting the water cradle me momentarily in its embrace.

It feels so amazing, my body instantly melts, and I kick to the surface.

Hands grip my hips, tugging me close. Gasping, I grab his shoulders, blinking water from my eyes. His touch sparks a trail of warmth in my veins.

"Is this okay?" he whispers, his breath a warm tickle close to my lips.

Is it? Is this okay? I feel alright. I don't feel an ounce of fear at his touch. Instead, I feel like I'm coming home, which is strange, because I've never had a home to go to. But Leo? He just feels right whenever he touches me, when he comes near me. He's just right, and that terrifies me.

I've never had anything in my life that didn't hurt, and I damn well know that Leo, who feels like he's always belonged in my life, will hurt me when he's gone.

So is it okay?

For now? Yeah. I nod slowly, and he tugs me closer, our bodies aligning in the water.

"I'm glad you decided to go for a jog this morning," he whispers against my lips, his words barely a murmur over the gentle lap of water around us. "You don't have to make it up to me, you know." His statement feels completely out of place, a stark contrast to the intimacy of our current closeness.

"I know," I answer, my voice a mix of resolve and vulnerability. The water moves around us, echoing my swirling emotions. "Leo?"

"Yeah?"

"Kiss me."

There's a brief pause, a heartbeat, where everything seems to freeze—the water, the air, time itself. Then, closing the minimal distance between us, he presses his lips against mine. The kiss is gentle at first, exploratory, as if he's mapping out a promise, a possibility of what could be between us. The warmth from his lips spreads through me, igniting every nerve with scorching need. The kiss deepens, and the world narrows down to just us, adrift in this hidden cove where, for a fleeting instant, I can pretend we are the only people in the world.

Underneath the surface of our connection, the water holds us, timeless and profound, a silent witness to the budding of something tender and terrifying in its intensity. When we break apart, breathless and clinging to each other, I realize that for the first time, I'm not thinking about the pain that might come later. For now, I'm just living in the present, embraced by the water and the warmth of Leo's touch.