Collateral Damage

chapter 24

They say it's best to let the past stay buried. Digging the grave would only let to the bad smell of rotting flesh.

In my case, that wasn't the problem. I didn't know about my own past and I was getting by fine without it. Sure, sometimes I felt incomplete not knowing those blank spaces of my life. But I was told it was better if I didn't try to probe. I never felt the need to dig, but now after what Alexis had told me last night I need to know what happened in preparation to face what would happen.

Good thing I had someone who witnessed what caused me to get amnesia. It showed who was stronger between the both of us. Neither of us left there unharmed. He was just stronger to get past it. Though, his inner demons still haunted him.

'It won't come to that. I won't let it,' Alexis said as he buttoned up his shirt.

I was still going to celebrate thanksgiving with Elyse. I was taking one plus with me.

Alexis thought I didn't need to know what happened. All those times when he didn't let me go out alone, insisted that I move in with him was because he was trying to protect me.

There was a serial killer on loose.

And he was out to get me.

The mere thought made my skin crawl.

'You don't know that,' I talked to his reflection as he stood in front of the mirror and I sat on his bed. Our bed.

His jaw clenched, a muscle ticking. He finished up and walked towards me. He hovered over me as I looked up at him from my position on the edge of the bed.

He leaned down and clasped my face in his hands. He looked into my eyes. 'I won't let anything happen to you,' he said with conviction. My heart warmed at his sincerity and I gave him a small smile.

He closed the distance between us and claimed my lips in a lingering kiss. I sighed into the kiss, my arms going behind his neck, my fingers locking.

What started as a soft kiss turned hot into seconds. I pulled him down over me.

He broke away and rested his forehead against mine. 'If we go any farther than this I'm never going to be able to make it to the dinner,' he rasped.

'You're tempting me to cancel on her,' I said.

He cocked his eyebrow. 'Is that an option?' he asked hopefully.

I pushed him back, chuckling. 'No. Now get ready,' I said, slapping his ass.

He gave me a very dirty look and my cheeks turned red. I stood up and left the room to find a pair of shoes in the other room.

If Elyse was surprised at seeing Alexis with me she didn't show it. To be honest, I didn't think she was the least bit surprised. Mason, on the other hand, was quite surprised to find a person who he had seen in papers more than a few times to be in his house.

Mark didn't care either way. He was just happy that his best friend was back.

The dinner was fantastic. It was so good that I doubted Elyse had made it. It was definitely Mason's cooking.

This year for me was tough but I had a few things to be thankful for. First, to have a loving family to spend thanksgiving with. And second, I looked at Alexis as he complimented Mason's cooking skills.

A smile graced my lips. To reconcile with someone long forgotten. So, what if I didn't remember the times we spent together. I could feel that he was special. And that I was never going to let go again.

Alexis' phone beeped and he checked it. I rolled my eyes. He was like a child when it came to phones. He couldn't stay away from it. He got important calls all the time so I guess, he was entitled. He frowned at it but kept the phone in his pocket just as soon.