Page 58 of Light in Your Eyes

“Who?”

“My family. I need to see their faces too.”

Now that Kellan is here with me and both of us are safe, far away from that nightmare, I want to see Nana and Archer too. But since it’s impossible at this moment, pictures will do.

I abruptly pull the drawer from the nightstand at my side and grab my family photo. I can’t help but sniffle when my tear falls onto the picture. It’s a photo of me, Nana and Archer. It was taken a year ago in the backyard of our house, on my birthday.

“I miss them,” I say, feeling a great longing in my heart. “They’re doing okay too, right?”

Kellan nods, touching my shoulder. “Of course, they are. You don’t need to worry about that.”

“I’m sorry,” I whisper brokenly. “I just miss them so much.” I stare at his face, which still has a deep frown because of his worry for me. “Can you hug me again?”

Kellan doesn’t give me a verbal answer, but he does what I want him to do. He pulls me into another tight hug, and I feel like I never want to get out of his embrace.

I never thought that I would need Kellan Romero by my side this much.

But at this moment, I really do.

Chapter 22

Layla

I watch as Kellan talks to his phone. “Come on, Jaxon. Pick it up,” he says urgently. “Pick it up.”

Still, it seems that he doesn’t get any answer from the other side of the line. Kellan curses and ends the call. He looks restless, and I can’t help but feel concern.

“What’s the matter?” I approach him. “Are you okay?”

“Never mind.” Kellan shuts his eyes, throwing his head back. I can see clearly the irritation on his face because Jaxon hasn’t picked up his call. “Fucking jackass.”

Kellan huffs, and his chest rises and falls. I know that he’s worried about Jaxon. I haven’t heard from him either ever since he called me for the first time to talk about Kellan.

Knowing that Kellan needs to get his mind off Jaxon, I suggest, “Do you want to take a morning jog with me?”

Kellan doesn’t answer me verbally, but then he tosses his phone to his bed and puts on his shirt. After wearing his sneakers, he strides toward the door. “I’ll wait for you at the jogging track.”

“Okay.”

After Kellan closes the door behind him, I change into a pair of joggers while still wearing the same T-shirt. I wear my shoes and exit his room.

When I arrive at the jogging track, Kellan is already running. I do a warmup before taking a morning jog.

While we’re exercising together, I notice that our stamina difference is very obvious. His speed is way better than mine that he’s already run past me for God knows how many times.

After a while, I stop running and take a walk instead. I watch as Kellan keeps a steady speed. He’s doing good, but he still looks like he still can’t get his mind off his failed call with Jaxon earlier.

Then I notice that he needs to fix his shoelace.

“Wait.” I say as he runs past me again. “Your shoelace.”

My words make him stop, and I approach him. I get down on one knee and fix his shoelace with a smile. After I’m done with it, I stand up and face him.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask.

“About what?” Kellan asks, still catching his breath from running.

“Jaxon,” I say. “You called him earlier, didn’t you?”