Swing Confessions
364 Words
Ellen followed Luke to the porch swing. It hung from weathered beams overlooking the cliff drop. Waves churned far below. Salt mist kissed the air. The swing creaked softly as they settled side by side. His weight dipped it toward him. Her thigh brushed his jeans. Sparks reignited from the kitchen touch. Dream heat lingered low in her belly. His story first. Probe gentle.
"Nice view," she said. The swing rocked rhythmic with ocean pulse. "You mentioned old scars before. Where is your family now? Are they around here?"
He stared seaward. His gray eyes turned distant. The swing chain tinkled. "They are done. Long gone. No ties left." His voice stayed flat. It felt final. He offered no details.
Ellen nodded. Hurt shadowed his profile. Like mine with Jake. "Sorry. Mine scattered too after the breakup. But that girl you loved... the betrayal. Tell me more if you want. It sounds like it gutted you."
Luke exhaled slowly. His cool hand rested on the swing arm. His fingers stayed inches from hers. "Someone told me she was seeing someone else. While she was with me. Whispered lies to poison it. I believed them. Shattered everything. It hurt deep. I never saw her again." Pain etched his face raw. Chestnut waves fell forward. He pushed them back. "Trust breaks hardest when closest."
Ellen's breath caught. His words echoed the Blackthorn drama too exactly. His gray eyes met hers. They held stormy vulnerability. Inches apart now. The swing rocked closer. Her pulse thundered. "Sounds like the Blackthorn drama. Fiancée, jealous kin spilling lies. Sad echo."
He tensed subtly. His pocket watch chain caught sun. The rune gleamed faint. "Echoes repeat. Careful who you trust." His cool fingers grazed hers deliberately. Electric intimacy bloomed. Heat flushed her cheeks. Dream lips ghosted in memory.
A low whirr hummed from inside. Porch clock hands flickered. The year 1905 etched briefly in frost. Then it returned to 2026. Waves roared louder. Luke pulled his hand back. He stood abruptly. "I better get back to the yard. See you later." Escape edged his tone.
She gripped warm wood. Suspicion swirled with ache. Lies. Curse? Body? The manor watched from shadows.
- Writer
