Living In Flames. by Emily Zimmerman. (best free novels .TXT) 📕

Only one thing hit my mind as I stood there in terrified silence. The twenty eighth was in two weeks.

When Dan arrived, I was sitting against the counter with my back to the door, the bat cradled to my chest, held in a white knuckled grip. He leaned down in front of me, and I barely registered when he pried the bat from my hands, then his warm hands were holding my face. Slowly, his voice came into focus, and I realized he was calling me softly. “Skylar, what’s wrong? What happened?”
I broke down, clutching him for support as he murmured comforting words to me. “Shit. What happened?” he asked me, picking me up like a child and setting me on the counter.
I knew I couldn’t tell him all of it, like meeting Michaels on the twenty eighth; but I could tell him some of it. “Michaels was here.” I sniffed. “He said he just wanted to talk but he…he told me that he was going to take Linda too. Please tell me she’s safe.” I half begged, my voice shaking.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got surveillance on the house twenty four seven, she’s perfectly safe.” He swore under his breath. “I should have had someone watching the store.”
I put my hand on his cheek. “It’s not your fault. I mean even I didn’t think he would just waltz into the store in broad daylight.” I was getting control of myself again, and I was able to think just a bit clearer than before.
His eyes bored into mine, and he suddenly his hands slid into my hair and he smashed his lips to mine. It was so abrupt that I hadn’t even seen it coming. He pulled back after a few long seconds, and smiled slightly at my expression, but it didn't reach his worried eyes.
Leaning his forehead on mine, he said gruffly, “Don’t ever do that to me again.”
I smiled slightly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you."
Dan grabbed my hands and pulled me from the counter. "Let's get to my house." He muttered.
I felt panic flutter in my stomach and I dug the heels of my boots into the ground, making him stop and turn half way to look at me. "No!" I said, too quickly. "I mean, I want to go home. I-uh, I need to think." I had to force myself not to grimace at my stupid excuse.
His dark eyes studied my face for a few seconds before he turned so he was completely facing me. "What else did he tell you?"
I could feel my traitor cheeks flaming as I lied, "Nothing."
"You are a terrible liar, Skylar. Tell me," He ordered, a hint of annoyance flickering in his eyes.
"There is nothing to tell," I muttered.
I couldn't help it - I had to look away. But I saw the way his usually molten-chocolate eyes turned hard with frustration. "Come on. We'll discus this at my house." he grumbled.
I let him drag me along, staring guiltily at his tense back.

When we arrived at his house, I noticed Linda, sitting in front of the porch, surrounded by beautiful, potted flowers. She had a spade in her hand and was digging up the rich soil. She got up as we aproached. "Hello, dear. It's so nice to see you today!" She smiled kindly at me.
How anyone could think about hurting this woman was a mystery to me. She was the sweetest woman I'd ever met.
I pulled her into a tight hug, needing to have her comfort like a little girl needs her mother's.
"It's nice to see you too." I mumbled.
She hugged me back, patting me softly. "Is everything alright dear?" she asked worriedly.
I could just imagine the questioning look she was giving Dan. "Everythings fine." I said, pulling back to give her a weak smile.
She gave me a worried look and glanced behind me, I assume at Daniel. "Let's talk inside," He said softly, taking my hand once again. I nodded, squeezing his hand slightly.
He led me passed the living room, up the stairs, and down the hall to his room. He let go of my hand and moved to his large window, pulling the heavy, royal blue curtains closed. The room darkened considerably, so he walked over to the lamp beside his bed and turned it on. I ignored him as he turned his eyes on me, walking over to the small loveseat in the corner of the room, moved from the living room to make room for the new, brown leather sofa that Dan helped Linda buy.
I was suddenly fasinated with my hands as Dan aproached, sitting on the couch beside me. "Skylar." He said on a sigh.
"Yes?" I asked him, briefly glancing up.
"Look at me." Without giving me a chance to look up on my own, he grasped my chin and turned my head, making me look at him. "You know I'm going to keep asking until you tell me." He said.
"I told you there is nothing to tell!" I insisted, abruptly standing up.
I could feel my frustration rising up, along with all my panic and confusion. A small corner of my mind told me that I was dangerously close to snapping. Dan stood up and grabbed my hand as I tried to head for the door, spinning me back around, he put his hand to the small of my back, pulled me flush up against him and kissed me.
This was not one of his regular kisses. This was a hot, steamy kiss that left me dazed, he snaked his arm all the way around my waist and bent me back slightly over his arm, putting his other hand to the back of my neck. He pulled me back, and I slowly opened my eyes. His brown eyes were the molten chocolate I always loved.
"Tell me." He ordered softly, but feircely.
I stared at his face, debating. I decided to tell him a half truth. "He said he was going to take me...and that I had to meet him somewhere. That he would take Linda if I didn't meet him, and that he'd call when it was time." I admitted, mumbling.
Dan growled, his eyes flashing with a new anger, and he let me go. He walked briskly over to the table, keeping one of my hands in a vize-like grip. He grabbed his phone and dialed Blake. All the while, me begging him to stop.
"Dan, please!" I begged as he held the phone up to his ear.
"What? Do you want me to just stand by as your life is threatened?" He was shouting, losing his patience.
This made my stubborn side come out. "No! I don't expect you to! But you're doing enough already! I won't have an army following me around wherever I go!" I yelled back.
"You will if I have anything to say about it!"
I ripped my hand out of his. "Fine! You want to overeact? I won't be here when you do!" I turned and took one step, before a hand grabbed my arm and spun me around again.
"You're not going anywhere!" he growled darkly, his beautiful, furious face just inches from mine.
For the first time, I actually felt a bit of fear, staring into his fiery eyes. "Let me go!" I tried to jerk my arm from his grasp, but it only tightened.
"No."
I started to feel a bit helpless, fearing that Dan was just the same as John. Tears filled my eyes and I grabbed his wrist. "Please."
Slowly, the anger drained from his face, and he seemed to realize what he was doing. Immediately, he released my arm. "Sky, I'm...sorry." He whispered.
I backed away from him. "I'm going home." I said, abruptly turning and walking out.
"Wait...Sky!" He half begged as I was halfway down the stairs. I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed Lilian.
"Sweetheart, where are you going?" Linda called as I ran out the door.
"Skylar, wait!" Dan repeated.
"Hey, girl! What's up?" Lilian answered.
"Hi, um...I need you to pick me up. I'm...I'm at Daniels." I muttered.
"Is everything alright?"
"Everything is fine."
Dan caught up to me as I was striding down the driveway. "Skylar, please, I'm sorry, just listen to me for a second!" He pleaded.
"Is that Dan? What happened?" Lilian asked me.
I cleared my throat, swallowing the lump that formed. "Yes. I'll tell you later. Can you just come and pick me up?" I asked her.
"Sure, I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Thanks."
And I disconnected.
"Sky, please, talk to me!"
I stopped, staring out at the trees, unable to look into his eyes. "What do you want, Daniel?" I asked him, my voice shaking.
"Please, Skylar. You know I wouldn't hurt you. I was just angry about Micheals and I was taking it out on you! It was wrong, and I'm so, so sorry! I told you once that I wasn't like John, and I promise you, I'm not like him!" He told me, taking my face in both of his hands, and wiping away tears that I didn't realize were falling with his thumbs.
He tried to coax me to meet his eyes, but I wouldnt do it. "I can't...just let me go Daniel!" I told him, taking his hands from my face and pushing him away.
Lilian's car pulled up, and she honked her horn twice to signal that she was here. I left Daniel standing there, not even giving myself the luxury of a parting glance.
"Take me home. I'll tell you all about it later." I added as she opened her mouth to ask.
She took me home in silence, mostly because I was lost in my own thoughts. It was stupid to get involved with him anyway. I thought grudgingly to myself. I should have stayed working as a cashier at a grocery store so many months ago.
Lilian and I didn't even say anything when she stopped in front of the apartment building, she just pat my hand as I opened the door.
Part Four:

a week later, my mother and I were shopping for party supplies. It was her 40th birthday party, and my mother was very adament that we tell everyone she was thirty five.
"You'll understand when you get to be my age." She waved her hand as I objected to the lie.
I chuckled, rolling my eyes. "Fine, but when-"
"Excuse me, ladies." I turned to find Blake, grinning charmingly at us.
"Oh, hi Blake. What are you doing here?" I asked him.
"My sister is having a birthday party this weekend for my nephew, and I'm in charge of party supplies." He grumbled.
I gasped in mock surprise. "She trusts you with that job?" I asked him.
He smiled dryly. "No. She sent our mother up here with me. She's around here somewhere- ah!" He said, looking behind me. "There she is!"
I looked over my shoulder to find her comparing platters with my mother and laughed. "Go figure. My mother and I are here for supplies for her thirty fifth." I said, rolling my eyes as I lied about her age.
Blake looked at me blankly for a second. "I thought she was forty." He said.
"Yeah, well don't tell her you know that, she's convinced she has everyone fooled."
He let out a laugh and slung an arm around my shoulders. "They look like they have it sorted.