The Blazing Betas (Book 2 of the Garnetmoon series)

Chapter 7: I will always catch you

Domonique P.O.V

As I made my way through the suburbs of the city, I couldn't help but feel a wave of dread wash over me. I just couldn't shake it. The weather was absolutely terrible, and sheets of rain were pouring down on my windshield, which made it extremely difficult to see the road in front of me. My car was swaying from side to side as a result of the howling wind, which made the already dangerous drive even more hazardous. To make matters even more difficult, it seemed as though an endless sea of traffic was stretching out in front of me. No matter which alternative route the GPS directed me to take, I was continually confronted with heavy traffic. Every minute that went by made me feel more and more frustrated, and the traffic was packed so tightly together that it moved at the pace of a snail. I couldn't help but feel angry about the situation.

I sighed deeply as I contemplated how distraught my mother would be to learn that I had been missing for such a significant amount of time. I had no doubt that she would be beside herself with worry, and the knowledge that she would be watching the clock in eager anticipation of my return only served to heighten my anxiety. I was so desperate to make some headway that I opened my phone in the hopes that I could call my mother and reassure her that I was fine. But, unfortunately, my run of bad luck continued, and I received no signal at all. Out of frustration and a sense of being helpless and all by myself, I threw my phone onto the passenger seat. At that very instant, I made the choice to go in the opposite direction and head back to my house.

I made the split-second decision to swerve out of the traffic, get out of the way, and head back in the direction I had come from because I was feeling defeated and frustrated. My eyes darted around the area as I drove, looking for any indication that there might be a way to get out of this predicament. It was at that point that I came across a side road that wound its way up into the mountains. Even though it was a long shot, I couldn't deny the glimmer of hope that kept flickering inside of me. Perhaps, just possibly, if I continued down this road, I would end up back in the city.

I didn't give it a second thought before I made the turn onto the road, and the excitement was making my heart race. To my relief, the GPS quickly located the new path and started to recalculate the most direct path for me to take to get to the city. The rain continued to fall heavily on my car, but with the radio turned up, I was able to tune out the sound of the persistent raindrops hitting the roof of the car because I was listening to music.

While I was driving, one of my all-time favorite songs, "Proud Mary" by Tina Turner, came on loud and clear from the speakers. My mood was lifted, and for a brief moment, I forgot about the pressure and anxiety that had been weighing me down. The catchy rhythm and lyrics of the song were responsible for this. When I was away from the commotion of my regular life and out on the open road, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. I couldn't help but think that this was going to be an extreme departure from the mayhem that awaited me at home, where I was going to be assisting my mother in planning the baby shower.

While I was driving, my mind kept going back to Cole and all of the times we had spent together over the course of our lives. I thought back to all of the times we went on adventures together, discovering new places and making memories that would last a lifetime. But the midnight swims we had taken in the lake, even on the coldest of nights, were the ones that stood out the most in my mind when I thought back on our time there.

The lake had always been a special place for the both of us, a haven where we could get away from the pressures of everyday life and simply be ourselves. I could still recall the sensation of the lake's cool water lapping against my skin, as well as the sensation of my heart racing as I dove deeper into the water. We would always find a way to make the most of our time in the water, regardless of the freezing temperatures outside, by playing in the water, laughing until our teeth were chattering, and generally having a good time.

My thoughts suddenly shifted to a particular hiking excursion that Cole and I had been on. The previous day had been spent hiking through the mountains, taking in the jaw-dropping scenery, and making the most of each other's company. When we finally made it to the top of the mountain, we were greeted with a breathtaking panorama of the valley below, and I vividly recall being overcome with awe at the sight.