Free Forever and Almost Always by Amanda Bennett Page A

stopping my hand from doing so. “Sorry, I thought you meant you didn’t like the song.”
    “No, not at all. I absolutely love the song. I was just thinking it’s a little strange that I haven’t heard it in quite some time.”
    I glanced over at her and her eyes were sparkling with delight. Something about this song touched a part of her, and I didn’t want to be the one to take that feeling away. I lowered my hand and put the truck in reverse. An overwhelmingly strange feeling settled into my chest, and I couldn’t help but wonder if this thing we were starting was going to be something good, or if she would be the death of me. Either way, I was ready for whatever came my way.
     

Chapter Fourteen
    Charlee
    The band Soundgarden blared through the speakers, and I knew it was a sign. My mom had always taught me that there are signs for everything; you just have to learn to look for them. Well if this wasn’t a sign, then I didn’t know what was. The last time I heard ‘ Black Hole Sun,’ was when I had left Michael for the last and final time. It was liberating, and that song reminded me that I would be okay on my own, and ever since that day, I have been.
    I wasn’t quite sure how to explain that to the sinfully hot guy that was taking me on our first date, so I just tried to play it off and hoped he would choose to ignore it. When he did, I let out a small sigh of relief. I didn’t know exactly where we were going on our date, so I sat staring out the windshield, catching small glimpses of Dax and his muscular forearm that was exposed out of the corner of my eye.
    When he first walked out of his house, I nearly almost came in my panties. He was wearing a pair of jeans that hugged his ass and thighs in the most glorious way. His biceps were bulging with every sway of his arms, and he looked mouth watering good.
    “You okay over there?” His soft husky voice broke through my inner monologue and a small smile moved across my lips.
    “Yeah, just wondering where you’re taking me. You’re not going to kill me, are you?” I teased.
    “Maybe, but as of right now, no.” He laughed. “I figured we could go to the movies and then afterwards maybe dinner, or whatever you want to do.”
    “Sounds good to me. What movie?” I honestly didn’t care. Anywhere I got to be with him where it was dark and just us, I was in. I secretly hoped for a scary movie, even though I didn’t like them all that much, but it would definitely give me a reason to grab onto those thick, comforting arms. Or so I assumed.
    “Have you heard of the new movie Panic Room?”
    Bonus!
    “Yeah, I really want to see that one.”
    “Well I bought tickets this morning.”
    This was going to be perfect. Even though it wasn’t supposed to be a “scary” movie per se, I had heard that there were a few parts that were a bit jumpy. I couldn’t wait to find out. We pulled up to the movie theater a few minutes later, and I was starting to over think every little thing that was going to happen tonight. I had a habit of doing this, and always found myself disappointed when things went a different way. Dax exited the truck before I did, so I took the brief time alone, to give myself a small pep talk.
    “Just let things happen the way there going to.” I took in a deep breath, and slowly let it out when the truck door swung open.
    “You coming?” He joked as he held out his hand for mine.
    “Yeah, thanks.” I grabbed his hand, half expecting him to let go as soon as I was out of the truck, but I underestimated him. Instead of letting go, he slid his fingers through mine and gave my hand a small squeeze. I looked up into his eyes and tried my damnedest not to smile, but failed miserably.
    I know how childish it seemed, but I had the worst case of butterflies, just feeling his skin against mine. I must’ve glanced down at our interlocked fingers at least a dozen times. And every time, I still found myself getting excited. So excited, that I