Ashes Drift Past Tomorrow by Xavin Dusk 61

Chapter 61 

Carter 

B1 vouchers 

I WATCHED MY girl walk with her father toward their gate, smiling as she blew me a final kiss and then disappeared from my sight. I stamped down the pain of losing her, reminding myself that I’d see her again in a year and I’d finally be able to tell her how I felt. I’d kept my adoration of her quiet because she was young, sheltered, and the epitome of a good girl. It wasn’t as though I was a bad boy… far from it, but I didn’t want to be the one to take her virginity before she was ready, especially since her father would kill me if I did. 

I wanted the timing to be right… when we were ready to make a life together. I’d dated a few girls, screwed a few girls, too, but it didn’t take long for me to realize there would never be anyone else for me. Cassidy Dennis was mine. She had been since she was six and she would be until she was ninety–six. She was my best friend and I would wait for her as long as she needed me to. 

Arriving at my truck, I swore when I couldn’t get the door open. I’d lovingly restored my 1971 Ford pickup with my own two. hands, and the occasional passing of a wrench or something from Cassidy. I’d always considered the truck just as much hers as mine, considering we’d talked for hours while I worked on it, but I still had a few things I needed to fix, including a sticky lock. 

It took me a few minutes, but I managed to get the door open, and climbed inside. I started the engine and forced my desolation away. Cassidy would call me tomorrow, I’d hear her voice, and I’d know she was safe. I wished I’d been the one to go with her, but it didn’t surprise me that her dad had taken up that responsibility. Her family was close, and Mr. Dennis wasn’t about to let his baby go out of the country without fully vetting where she’d be living, who she’d be living with, the faculty and school. 

I sighed. Cassidy had been gone fifteen minutes and my heart was heavy. As I reached for my wallet to pay for airport parking, my hand caught the chain I’d slipped into my pocket. At the end hung a nut and bolt, threaded together. I smiled and pulled it out, looping it over my neck. I’d kept it hidden from Cassidy because I’d had one made for her as well. A far more feminine version, granted, but matching all the same. I’d sneaked it into her carryon as she checked two bags at the ticket desk and I couldn’t wait to hear what she thought. 

My heart lightened as I headed home. I could do this. One year would go by quickly and we’d be able to pick up where we left off. It was our way and I knew nothing would change that. 

Cassidy 

I stared out the plane window and forced myself not to sob as we took off. Dad was on the aisle seat and we’d been pleasantly surprised to find that no one was between us. 

“You okay, honey?” Dad asked. 

I grimaced and turned to face him. “Is it wrong to feel like my heart is breaking?” 

“Not at all.” He smiled. “I promise, you’ll be fine.” 

“But will Carter?” 

“He’s made of tough stuff, Cass. He’ll be fine too.” He took my hand. “Just focus on this year and if you’re meant to be, you’ll be. I know those are just words to you, but when you get some distance, things will be clearer.” 

I nodded, although, I knew he’d never understand. He was cursed (he said blessed, but I personally think he just replaced the word to convince himself) with a house full of women and womanly emotions, which meant drama was prevalent. Most things for my sisters, Shannon and Mia, were emotional tens (on a scale from one to…) when it came to boys and life. I was far more even–keeled, but that also meant I didn’t openly share my love of Carter with the world. I did to my mom, but Dad’s eyes would glaze over and Mom said he was going to his happy place when my sisters started in on their emotional 

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Chapter 61 

blackmail, so Dad didn’t know about the extent of Carter. 

19 vouchers 

I turned back to the window and as soon as we were cleared to use our electronic devices, I pulled my backpack onto my lap and unzipped the front flap. Tugging out my iPod, I found a little wrapped package with Carter’s distinctive script scrawled on the front. 

I ripped it open and forced myself not to totally break down at thirty–five thousand feet. I pulled out a feminine but very sturdy silver chain that had a threaded nut and bolt, a pair of ballet slippers, and a mini dog tag hanging from it. It had been wrapped in tissue paper with a note. 

To my favorite nut, here’s a few things to remember me by. Kick ass in Paris and remember I’m just a phone call away. Love you, Cass 

Love, the best bolt you’ll ever know, Carter 

“What’s that?” my dad asked. 

“A little surprise from Carter.” I handed the chain to him and he smiled before handing it back. 

“Clever,” he said. 

“That he is.” I secured it around my neck and found myself reaching for it several times during the flight. I couldn’t wait to call him and tell him how much I loved it and him. I didn’t care that I was leaving for a year. I wanted him and if I had to wait for him, I would. Now I just had to convince him I was the one for him. That would prove harder. 

Still, I had a smile on my face as I drifted off to sleep, my hand over the charms that had settled over my heart. Appropriate. 

Little did I know, my phone call to Carter the next day would be too short to tell him anything substantial and the last time I’d hear his voice until I returned to the States. In less than a year, my safe little world would be rocked to its core. 

*** 

Eleven months later… 

“Cassidy!” Pierre grinned and held his arms out to me as I walked into the practice room. “Vous êtes magnifique!” 

I chuckled as I accepted the double cheek kiss and hugged him back. I dropped my bag on the floor and pulled out my toe shoes. “Bonjour Pierre.” 

“Well done,” he exclaimed. “You might just be fluent by the time you leave.” 

“You never know.” 

I had been in Paris for about a week when I was introduced to Pierre Desrosier. Tall and lanky, albeit muscular, he had the perfect dancer’s physique and with his sexy French accent, I couldn’t help but be drawn to him. Almost from the start, he’d pursued me and I was flattered. What initially gave me pause was that he looked quite a bit like Carter. I couldn’t imagine dating anyone who looked like the love of my life unless it was the love of my life. 

That had all changed three months ago, however. I’d received an email from Carter telling me that he’d met someone, and it was pretty serious. It wrecked me. Totally. 

Lately, however, I was beginning to wonder if I should find out if it would work with Pierre. Granted, I had less than a month before I returned home, but who knows? It could be fun and who didn’t love a power couple? Especially, when they were portraying a couple in art and happened to love each other in real life. 

I deserved to be happy and move on just like Carter had. 

“We will work on the transitions today, oui?” 

Chapter 61 

Pulled out of my melancholic thoughts, I nodded. “Oui.” 

Voudriem 

When our time came to an end, Pierre hugged me tightly. “Beautiful, Cassidy. You were so uninhibited today. Finally. Parfait.” He stroked my cheek. “Have dinner with me.” 

I smiled. “Why not?” 

“Oui?” 

“Oui, Pierre. Dîner serait belle.” 

“I’ll collect you at seven.” 

“Perfect… um… parfait,” I corrected, and Pierre chuckled, kissing me on the cheek. 

I headed back to my dorm room and took a hot bath. We’d worked out hard today and my body was hurting, but it was my heart that was suffering more. The moment I’d said yes to Pierre, I knew I had to let Carter go. Irrational, perhaps, but I didn’t know if I could continue to hold out hope that he would ever be mine and it was time for me to live a little. I hoped it 

was, anyway. 

After taking extra care with my hair and make–up, I opened the door to the handsome and incomparable dancer and let fate take 

my 

life wherever it led me.