West (A Roam Series Novella) by Kimberly Stedronsky Page B

pacing, thinking. “How?”
    He talked about bringing materials through from the past, and I watched Roam cross the room and go into the bathroom.
    The soft click of the lock echoed through Logan’s words.

Chapter Fourteen
    He knew I’d slept with her.
    I put Logan up in a different room for the night. We’d worked out a plan, only after he’d punched me himself - much harder than Roam had.
    It’d heal by tomorrow, but I had to hand it to the kid- he had some strength.
    I slipped into Roam’s hotel room, watching her even breathing as she lay on the bed. Every so often, she’d give a tiny sob in her sleep.
    Careful not to wake her, I lowered to the bed. I wanted to gather her fingers in mine, but I was sure I’d pull her out of her peaceful dreams.
    And I knew how rare those were.
    Sometime later, she was pushing me, and I roused at her voice. “West- West, wake up,” she urged, and I sat up quickly. “What are we doing first?”
    Her face was still tear-streaked, but her eyes were muted with controlled order. I cupped her face in my palms, turning her to lie beneath me. “First, I need you to forgive me. Please,” I whispered against her lips.
    When she nodded, no hesitation, no fear, I groaned, pressing my mouth to hers. I kissed her with gratitude, apologizing with every touch, every gentle caress. When I pulled away to look at her, I could barely see her through the darkness. “I never want to talk about it again,” she murmured. “The past is the past. Every life we’ve shared has had a terrible ending. What you did was awful, but you weren’t yourself, I believe that.”
    I reached for the lamp. I had to see her; I had to see to believe she was truly forgiving me for what I’d done all those years ago… and for lying to her. She gasped, reaching for my face. “What happened to you?” she cried, tenderly brushing her fingertips over my eyes.
    “Logan said good-bye,” I answered, wincing. “It’ll heal.”
    “Did you hurt him?”
    I sighed. “No. I couldn’t. His anger had nothing to do with this prophecy- or our lives. It was just a guy pissed at another guy for sleeping with his girlfriend. I deserved it.”
    She lowered her eyes before I could watch them fill with tears. “I deserve the terrible things he said to me, too.”
    We sat in silence for a while.
    And suddenly, we were moving.
    I explained the plan. Go to the fountains, go through the door…
    And that was as much as I co uld tell her without scaring the hell out of her.
    The moment we passed through the fountain, I gripped her hand tighter, staring down at her.
    My god. Julie.
    I never thought I’d see her again. Her blonde hair, her smoky eyes… she looked the same as the day I’d last seen her.
    The day I’d killed her.
    “Do I look different? Am I her?” Roam asked, Roam , Roam is inside there. My little Roam.
    “Yes,” I managed, hurrying to a cab. “The Byway Motel,” I ordered, and the driver snorted.
    “That’ll costya, friend.”
    “No problem,” I patted my jeans, thankful my wallet had traveled. Everything on our person travels. Remember that.
    “I don’t even recognize my own hands- they are different ,” she breathed, and then I watched her lower her eyes to her chest, gasping.
    “She high?” The driver accused.
    “No,” I an swered, taking her hands in mine and squeezing them, reassuring. “Please put on the radio?”
    Dancing Queen filled the cab at my request. I turned and took her in, amazed at what was happening.
    We traveled. Into the past, through a fountain.
    A past life.
    Her face went pale, and she covered her mouth. “I think I’m car sick,” she whispered, covering her stomach. I watched her press her fingers to her skin, holding her breath. “I’m pregnant,” she breathed, shocked.
    I was losing her. She was panicking; I could hear it in her voice. I tugged her closer.
    “I know. Everything that I told you about happened later tonight. We’re already ahead, since I’m