Chapter 6

Zac slowly opened his eyes and looked at the clock by his bed. It was time. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and flung the covers back. He sighed. Why did he have to be the one to do this? Because he had found her and taken her in. Because he knew her better than anyone else. Because he knew it was the right thing to do…that’s why. He grabbed a pair of pants and a t-shirt before heading into the bathroom and climbing into the shower as he peeled off his clothes.

Why was it that morning always made him feel that nothing could stop him? Even when everything around him was going wrong? He shifted his jeep into first gear and pressed down on the pedal, smiling as the tires peeled out of the driveway, kicking up dirt in the process. Satisfaction lined his face as he shifted the car into fifth gear and glided down the street in the early morning light. Driving was so liberating to him, always was and probably always would be. If only everything could provide him the satisfaction he found when driving his jeep…if only everything wasn’t about to crash down at his feet. He sighed, the feeling of freedom slowly residing from his veins. Madison was going to hate him…it wasn’t suspicion…it was fact. Madison had trusted him, probably trusted him more than she had ever trusted anyone in her life. And he was about to ruin that trust and probably ruin the amazing bond they had formed in the past few days. He was returning her to someone she shouldn’t have to be with, someone who didn’t deserve her love. He swallowed fiercely as tears threatened to fall. He banged his right hand on the steering wheel and cleared his throat.

He slowly shut off the engine and leaned his head back. He ran his hand through his golden hair and sighed. This was it…it was time. He took the key out of the ignition and pocketed it while opening the door and placing his feet on the tar of the parking lot.

- - -

Madison sighed happily and opened her eyes. Light filtered through the crack in the shades and bathed the room in a soft glow. She smiled and stretched her hands over her head. She slowly threw back the covers and stepped onto the carpeted floor. She sifted through her clothes and picked out a pair of jeans and a tank top before heading towards the bathroom. "Oh, hey, Tay." She smiled at him as she walked past him and into the bathroom.

"Hi, Madison." He replied gloomily before disappearing into his room as he shut the door behind him.

"That was…weird." She whispered before shrugging it off and turning on the faucet. She splashed her face with water before turning on the shower and taking off her clothes. She quickly washed her hair and grabbed the bar of soap. She lathered her body with the soft bar of soap and let the water wash off the dirt and grime. She sighed. Zac was special. He was different from anyone she had ever met. She was able to open up to him about things she had never shared with anyone before. He made her feel like she was something special. She shut off the water and grabbed the nearby towel. Zac understood her better than anyone else ever had. He filled a void within her and she never wanted to lose him.

- - -

"Can I help you?" the receptionist asked, rather annoyed from the distraction from her work.

"Uh…yes, I think I have something you’re looking for." He cringed; that sounded like an item, not a person.

"Okay…and what would that be?" she asked dryly, returning her eyes to the computer screen in front of her.

"I have Madison Crawford."

"Wh…what?" the receptionist asked, standing up and leaning over the desk towards Zac.

"I…I said I have Madison Crawford at my house." He repeated, hoping he was doing the right thing.

"Stay there. Stay right there…let me go get the Chief." The receptionist took off at a run and disappeared around the corner. Zac sighed. He really hoped he was doing the right thing. If he wasn’t, then he was ruining a beautiful relationship for nothing.

Chapter Seven
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