A Controller's Destiny (Unit Matched #3) (10 page)

“You’re beautiful. Just because you’re not tall, or curvy, doesn’t matter to me. Every time you walk into a room, my heart skips a beat because you’re painfully stunning. I don’t want anyone else but you. If you ever put yourself down again, you won’t have to worry about Zane. Do you understand?”

I look at him and more tears fall down my cheek.

“I know the point is worthless since you’re Super Controller and can kick my ass, but I mean it. Don’t do it again.” He releases me and takes a step back.

I turn to him.

“I haven’t tried anything with you because I don’t think that being Matched should give everyone a ticket for a sex-free-for-all. I wanted to know you on more of an intellectual and personal level. The physical stuff will always be there. I’m not Deus or O and need to fall in bed with my Matched. Don’t get me wrong, though, I want you very much. However, I like taking things slow. I wanted us to be comfortable with each other. That’s why I spoke out so much about the Matched Rule. The second a Unit guy is Matched, he thinks he can do whatever he wants with a girl. That’s not how I am.”

My mouth drops.

“I don’t just care about you. I love you. I love how much you put everyone before you. I love how you get up early to cook me breakfast. I love how you’re always concerned about me. I love your soft giggle and how you moan when you’re tired. I love that you watch every cheesy rom-com and still cry at the end when the girl and guy get together. I love that you wanted to be a teacher to help the next generation of Unit. I love that you’re the Super Controller and going to save Unit. I’ve loved you from the moment we sat in the park and told each other all about ourselves.”

He steps up to me.

“And you lied. We’ve kissed twice. Just because I was half asleep in the chair doesn’t mean it doesn’t count.”

Graham walks past me and leaves me standing alone in the bathroom as if I had been dropped out of a tornado.

He loves me.

Chapter 12

The Date That Changed It All

I have tossed and turned most of the night. Graham’s words are still spinning in my head. Every word he said means more to me than he could ever image. It’s like he completely opened himself to me.

And now, I feel like a big jerk. His true feelings were always right there I missed the signs.

I look at my clock and it mocks me saying two-thirty. I can’t sleep. I shuffle out of bed and quietly go down the stairs to the kitchen. I pad around making a glass of warm milk and sit down, bringing my knees into my chest.

The sky is dark as ebony, but the stars are bright. The moon is gray, full, and round as Earth’s natural the nightlight.

I remember Graham saying that he fell in love with me at the park. That was one of my favorite dates with him and it was also one of the saddest.

~~~

“Shorty, could you please stop crying? Just for a little bit.”

I dry my eyes the best I can. “Amaya is gone, and Xaviera doesn’t know if she’s going to banish her. I’m sorry I’m a little emotional.” Xaviera had handed down the punishments to Amaya and Thaddeus. They were to stay away from Unit for three whole months.

“I know. I am, too. He’s my Paried, too.”

“Sorry.” I pat my cheeks. “I’m sorry.”

Graham rolls his eyes. “Shorty, for the love of Mother Nature, please stop saying you’re sorry every two minutes.”

“Sorry.” I hang my head and he growls.

“Come on. Let’s go down to the park and take our minds off of this for a while.” He starts the loud truck up and drives to Unit park.

It’s dusk, and the horizon is filled with all of Mother Nature’s colors. Reds, oranges, yellows, and a pop of green glow from the trees. It’s stunning.

Graham takes my hand and leads me to a bench near the pond. There’s a light breeze in the air. It’s cool, but not cold enough to make me shiver.

“Shorty, please,” he shakes his head taking a seat next to me on the bench. “For the next three months, our lives are going to be different. We need to focus on taking care of the Princess and us, okay?”

I nod. I know that he’s right, but I’m not sure how I can handle this. There’s more to the story than he knows and I don’t know how to remain silent.

“We’re about half way through our Decision Period.”

I look over at him.

“Have you thought about what we’re going to do?”

“Have you?” I already know my answer to this question.

“I’m not sure. I mean I would like to know you better.” He stretches his long legs out in front of him and crosses them at the ankle.

“What do you want to know?”

“You like to read, right?”

I nod.

“If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one book, what would it be?”

“My kindle,” I smirk.

Graham laughs. A real laugh. “I’ll rephrase: what paper book would you bring?”

I smile at him. I hang my head because I’m going to tell him the truth. “
The Devil Wears Prada
.” I whisper.

“Really? I had you pegged for a romance girl. Why that book?”

I shrug. “Do you really want to know?”

He nods.

“Fine,” I sigh, pushing my bangs back. “It’s because I wish that someday I could prove myself like Andy did. I want to show that I’m not meek or weak and that I can be strong and determined.”

I knew the truth was I would be that way someday, but sitting here with him, I didn’t. I felt meek and shy, more so than usual.

“Shorty, give yourself some credit. I think you’re very strong. Yes, you are shy, but there are always two sides to a coin.”

He softly bumps my shoulder. I have come to realize that Graham isn’t big on touching or kissing. In fact, he’s only held my hand. He hasn’t even tried to kiss me yet.

“You know,” I clear my throat and try not to think about his lips on me. “I don’t know anything about you. What would you take a desert island?”

“A knife.”

It’s my turn to laugh. “Something less practical.”

“I don’t know. I’m not into books or movies. I do like video games, but that’s mainly just to pass the time.”

“Do you have a hobby then?”

“Um, not really.” He shakes his head. “My brother and I like fixing old cars, but it’s mainly us just tinkering around the garage, talking nonsense.”

“Well, that seems neat. You know I don’t have any siblings, so it’s pretty nice that you two are so close to each other.” I’m close to the girls and that’s about it.

“When did you come into your powers?”

“I was eight.” I hang my head.

“Late-bloomer?”

“Of sorts.” I couldn’t tell Graham, yet, the whole story of how my life is pretty much a bad movie.

“Oliver told me that you weren’t trained by the Peterson’s. They’ve trained all the other Controllers. How come they didn’t train you?”

I take a deep breath and retell the same lie I’ve told all the others that have asked. “Queen Stacy trained me. Since I was Paired with Xaviera, she wanted to do it.”

“Oh.” He nods as if he believes me and I hope that he does.

“The Roberts’ trained you right? When did you come into power?”

Graham nods. “Yep, they did, and I was about five. My parents were a little shocked since they were both Controllers.”

“Your brother is, too?”

Graham nods. “I’m the only Protector.”

“Interesting, I wonder how that happened.” I play it off even though I know the truth.

We sit there for a few moments in silence listening to the soft breeze and watching the quiet pond.

“What’s your favorite color?” I blurt out the question.

“I don’t really have one. Although, I seem to wear a lot of blue. Do you have one?”

“I don’t either. Amaya is always sticking me in blue, too. She says it makes my eyes a prettier shade.” I mumble.

“I think you have beautiful eyes.” He smiles at me.

I blush. “Thanks.”

“Okay, here’s a tough one.” Graham sits up and puts his elbows on his knees. “What’s your ideal date?”

I furrow my brows. “Like a
date
as where to go or
date
as in person, like a celebrity?”

Graham chuckles. “As in to go not person, but now I’m curious about that.”

“Um…” I drop my head and rub my hands together. “Something like this,” I barley whisper. “This would be my ideal date.”

“And which celebrity?”

“I don’t know. I’m not like Amaya and Xaviera who have crushes on every hot guy that graces the screens.”

Graham leans back and puts his arm behind me, but doesn’t touch me. “Oh come on, I’m sure that you have one. Who is it? Chris Pine, Justin Timberlake, or Zac Efron? I know, Seth Rogen.”

I cover my mouth as I laugh loudly. “No, none of those.”

“Who then?”

“Tell me yours and I’ll tell you mine.” I flirt.

I’m flirting?

Graham groans. “Okay, deal. I like Nina Dobrev. I have a thing for dark hair.” He winks. “Now, your turn?”

My cheeks redden more. “Fine. If I had to pick… Logan Lerman.” I finally tell him.

“See,” he bumps my shoulder again. “That wasn’t so bad.

“Maybe not for you.”

“So, why him?”

“No, I’m not telling you that.” I shake my head. “No.”

“You’re going to tell me now, Shorty. Come on, you know I’ll find out anyway.”

I groan and drop my head into my hands.

“Fine.” I lift my head up. “
Percy Jackson
, that’s why. I fell in love with the books and I think that he did a good job in the movie. Even if most of the movie was ruined by the screenwriters, he was still good.”

“Why were you worried about telling me that? I actually saw that movie, too. It wasn’t bad.” Graham takes my hand and his grip is firm, but it feels safe.

We return to the quiet and I lean my head back looking up to the sky that’s now almost dark.

“You ready to go home.”

“No,” I say. “But, I need to. I know Xaviera is going to need me a lot the next three months and I need to rest every chance I can get.”

“Yeah, I know. Come on, Shorty.” He stands and pulls me up.

For a split second, I think he’s going to kiss me in the dusty light and soft glow of the lamp posts around the pond. His dark eyes seem to be drinking me in.

I lick my lips and softly gasp as he leans down to me. He bypasses my lips and cheek, and wraps his arms around me.

“Despite everything that happened today, I had a great evening with you.” His warm breath sends a shiver through me.

He holds me flush with his body and for the first time in twelve years, I don’t have a single worry, because I’m with my Matched.

~~~

“Shorty,” Graham’s voice is full of concern.

I turn away from the window I was staring out.

“You’re crying again.”

I hiccup a sob, jumping up from the chair and leap into his arms. He easily catches me. I wrap my arms and legs around him.

“Shorty.”

“Sshh,” I command. “For one moment, just hold me,” I beg.

I need to be in his arms. I need to feel safe. I need to forget that in a few short months, my life is going to end and I’ll never have this moment back.

“I’ll hold you forever Shorty.” His large arms hold me close to him. He doesn’t even hesitate to hold on to me.

We could have stood there for a minute, an hour, or a week; I didn’t know, because all I want is for time to stop so I can have this moment forever.

“Please, don’t cry. I can’t bear it when you cry.” He rubs his left hand up and down my back trying to console me.

I dig myself deeper into his neck, feeling myself shake, as the sobs keep coming.

“I’m scared, Graham. I try to put on a brave face, but it’s a lie. I don’t want my life to end at twenty. I thought I would have more time with you… the girls… life. I don’t know if I’m brave enough for this.”

There it was.

The truth.

My deepest secret.

My biggest fear.

I had said it out loud to the person I trusted the most.

Graham sinks to his knees in the middle of our kitchen floor. He pulls back, but only a little.

“Gia Centers, look at me.”

I lift my head, trying to catch my breath.

“You’re the bravest person I know. You will not die. I will give my own soul for that not to happen.” A single tear rolls down his face.

Graham, the biggest Protector in Unit is crying… for me.

“If I fail, Xaviera will lose JJ and I couldn’t live with myself if that happened. Everything is on my shoulders, and I don’t know if I can deal with that. For twelve years, I’ve had to deal with this, and now I don’t think I can. I don’t want to fail. I can’t fail.” I sob through each word. “I can’t fail you.”

“Oh, Shorty.” He lays his forehead on mine. “You’re not going to fail. You and I are going to figure out a way to save Xaviera, the baby, Unit, and us. You could never fail me; I love you.”

My tears race faster down my face and I can’t control my breathing as I sob against him. He loves me. He’s here for me.

I gather the courage from the deepest part of my soul and cup his face.

“Kiss me.”

Graham’s eyes widen slightly.

“Please, Graham, I’m begging. Please.” I lean into his lips. “Please.”

Graham holds me tighter and gently presses his lips against mine. I part my lips and press harder against him. Graham moans and I move my hands down to his neck, holding him in place. I tilt my head and slip my tongue into his mouth. We’ve never kissed like this and Graham moans louder. It makes me want him more.

“Shorty.” He pulls back. “Please, we have to slow down. Please.” It’s his turn to beg me.

Graham’s right. I know what his feelings are on this subject and I have to respect his wishes like he does mine.

We still hold onto each other with our foreheads resting against each other.

“Let’s get to bed. You need to rest.” He doesn’t release me as he stands up and carries me upstairs.

When he walks into the bedroom, I finally let my grip on him go, and he lowers me to the ground.

“Stay.” I hold onto his biceps.

He smirks at me. “I wasn’t going anywhere.”

I smile at him. “I have to tell you something, first.”

He looks at me with his serious eyes.

“I love you, too. I’m not saying that because you said it first. I do love you. I love that you don’t make fun of my shyness, or the fact I’m a book nerd. I love that you packed my lunch my first day of work. I love that you don’t rush or push me into anything. I love the way your face lights up when you smile. I love that I’m the only one that see that side of you. I love that you are by my side right now. I love everything, Graham Centers. I love everything about you.”