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Madison shakes her head, “last we heard he was in Canada on a rig.” I nod, and it’s one less thing to worry about.

After writing a shopping list,and buying bags of food from the general store, I remember the rental. I decide to give zero Fs, because my design money will cover it.

I head into the mountains, and an hour later, I pull up to the old wooden cabin. It looks over the distant river, and it’s good to be home.

The cabin belonged to my grandparents and here, I feel safe again. As I think of, and miss my grandparents, I start to feel them close.

Setting the cabin, kitchen and bedroom up, is calming, and I get ready for a week of rest, designing, and deciding. It’s time to forget my life of travel, sex, and orgasms. Also, his eyes, his voice, his energy, and him.

As I sit outside on my grandmother’s chair, I have her rug on my lap. It’s reassuring, and finally I start to calm.

I look down on the winding river. It moves slow and steady, unlike my past life. I decide to slow down, and I decide my life should mimic the gentle flowing water.

My eyes sweep the distant mountains, and it’s peaceful.

I remember the books in the chests inside, and I glow. Grandpa read like a madman, and he read all kinds of types, and styles.

As I grin, I decide when I’m not designing, I will read my way through the week, and I will heal. I will stop thinking about Lorenzo, his eyes, his tongue, and the wicked things he did to me, and my body.

It was likely wrong to feel that good. Wrong to come so hard, wrong to fall so fast, and wrong tolove someone so much.

44

LORENZO

It has only been days since Storm ran, but that feels like a lifetime. My Vice President, who I trust with my business, told me it is healthy to give someone time to calm down, in a situation like this.

It is going against everything I feel, and my instincts.

I have no idea if being patient is right or wrong, but I have forced myself to go with it. For the first time in my life, I am gentle, and patient.

I was never taught what to do in life as I grew up in the messed-up adoption system.

I just had to try things. Many things failed, and painfully.

All I know is, I just kept trying. Trying to live. Trying to learn about the universe, and trying to survive.

It was hell, but I slowly rose. I worked like a son of a bitch as soon as I could legally work. Then, I saved and invested every dollar and every hour.

I started working onset in movies, after breaking in, and working hard. Finally, things started to take off.

That was then, and this is now. All I wanted then, was to make it in movies.

Now, I only want her.

I rise the next day,and I know what I need to do. That is get her back, and now! Fuck waiting. Fuck being patient!

Storm is mine!

There is just one thing I need to do. Get Falcon home. I have a strong black coffee on the roof, and I look at the Peregrine, and my chopper. I remember the back of the helicopter cabin, and how last time the falcon ripped up most of the leather seats.

“Not again,” I say crouching. “No more ripping shit up.”

The falcon cries out, and it flies across the roof, landing on one of the eagle statues. It seems to be comfortable flying, but for whatever reason, it does not want to leave.

Falcon cries out, and I walk closer to him. I sigh and feel depressed. It could soon be me alone, again. I’m sick of living alone in the universe, and I’m sick of having no one.

"Come on buddy,” I say finishing my coffee. “It’s time to get you home to your family!”