Cloud Walking (A Find You in the Dark novella) by A. Meredith Walters Page B

there.  I had always known on some basic level, that Rachel was the girl for me.  But I had allowed too many things to get in the way of that. 
     
         Not any longer. 
     
         She could tell me to go to hell.  She could kick me in the balls and say that she hated me.  But I wasn't leaving.  I would love her until she realized that together we were something great. Something perfect.  Something forever.
     
         I reached out and put my hand on her arm.  She didn't move away but she didn't look at me either.
     
         “Rach,” I said softly.  She didn't say anything, those horrible tears still making their silent trek down her face.  “Please Rach.  Look at me,” I begged her, my voice catching as my throat closed up on the well of emotion that threatened to drown me. 
     
         Something in my tone must have broken through because she finally looked at me.  Her dark eyes meeting mine and I hated myself for the hurt and sadness there.  I swore I would make all of that go away.  I would never make her feel like this again.
     
         “What do you want, Danny?” she asked tiredly, sitting up. 
     
         What did I want? 
     
         “You,” I let out in a breath.  Crap.  I can't believe I just said that. 
     
         Rachel's eyes widened.  “What?” she asked in disbelief.
     
         I scooted forward on the bed until our knees were touching.  “I've been an ass.  A complete and total ass.  I've hurt you over and over again.  All I can say is, I'm sorry.  I've been blind to what's right in front of me for so damn long.”  My voice was a hushed whisper.  I leaned forward and put my hand around the back of Rachel's neck, tugging her gently toward me.  “I'm so, so sorry.  Can you forgive the dumbest guy on the planet for not realizing that the most perfect girl for him was here all along?” I asked her, staring into her beautiful eyes. 
     
         She took in a sharp breath.  My fingers pressed into her skin and I wanted desperately to pull her forward that fraction of an inch so I could kiss her.  But not yet.  Not until I heard what she had to say.
     
         “Danny,” she said in an agonized groan, pulling away from me.  My stomach lurched.  This is what I had been scared of.  Her rejection.   I squeezed my eyes shut, trying not to lose my shit right here.  And by lose my shit, I mean cry like a little baby.
     
         “Danny,” she said again, this time more forcefully.  I opened my eyes and she was frowning at me.  Never a good sign.  “What do you expect me to say?” she asked me, her voice hurt and angry.  Her face started to flush and I saw the red creeping up her neck.  I knew I was in for it. 
     
         I opened my mouth to answer her but she cut in.  “How dare you come in here, after everything and lay that crap out like that!  What about Kylie?  What about the millions of times I practically handed myself over only to have you push me away like I didn't fucking matter!” she screeched.  Oh man, she used the f-bomb.  Rachel rarely cussed.  I wondered if it was too late to duck for cover. 
     
         “Rachel.  I'm...”
     
         “Sorry?  You're sorry?  Well that's not good enough, Daniel!”  she yelled, jumping to her feet.  My mouth hung open as she started to pace around the room.  She gripped her hands into fists as she let out everything she was feeling.  I could admit I was freaked out.  But I was also perversely turned on by it.  Because she was hot when she was pissed.  There was something seriously wrong with me.
     
         “I have loved you since I was five, Danny!  Five!  And for the last twelve years, I have had to sit back and watch you date these girls that were never good enough for you.  When all I wanted was for once!  Just once, for you to look at me the way you looked at them!  And now here you are, after all this time...telling me you