Page 107 of Drown in You

“You’re still here.”

“Violet threatened me with genital mutilation if I left.” Despite his glassy eyes, a small smile pulls at his lips.

Heart in my throat, I reveal the camera from behind my back. “When you were still the man behind the mask, you told me you bought a disposable camera and called me a bad influence.” I can’t help the smile that plays on my lips at the memory. “So, since yours got ruined, I got you another one. For all the new photos we’ll take together.”

Luke takes the camera from me with a grin. “Thank you. This is the best gift I’ve ever gotten.”

“It was the best gift I’ve ever gotten too. Because you gave it to me.”

His hand threads into my hair, urging me closer. “Everything you do is better than I deserve.”

I shake my head. My turn to caress his cheek, to hold him. He leans into my touch, eyes fluttering shut like he’s been to war for a decade and he’s finally home. “That’s not true. You’re amazing, and you deserve someone who treats you that way.”

He shakes his head. “I ruined your life.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The sex tape?—”

“That wasn’t your fault. We were both there that night. We both wanted it. Marcus is the one who filmed us and posted that video. Illegally.”

Silence falls between us for a few beats. Luke examines the camera tenderly, like it’s made of the rarest diamond. “What made you change your mind?”

“I thought it was a weakness to keep forgiving people who hurt me.” I swallow, a lump forming in my throat. “But I realized it’s a strength. I realized my parents spent the past decade in love with each other but too afraid to take the leap. Too afraid to try again. I don’t want to spend that much of my life without you when we can be together now. We’ve both lied, we’ve both made mistakes, but what matters is that we learn from them. What matters is that we love each other, and nothing will ever change that. Like you said...we’re meant to be.”

He tucks the camera in his pocket and scoops me up until I’m happily in his arms again. “I really fucking missed you.”

“I missed you. I couldn’t think about anything else.”

Luke yanks my mouth to his. His tongue sweeps past my lips, and when he moans into my mouth, I melt.

I’ve missed him so fucking much. Not just in the past few days—though that was a constant ache—but I missed the friend he was to me for so many years. The masked man I confided in about my worst fears, biggest insecurities, darkest secrets. He’s been with me at my lowest, even if he was miles away, and he’s never wavered.

When he finally lets me break the kiss, I blurt, “I love you.”

“Thank fuck,” he murmurs against my lips. “I love you too.”

We kiss again, absolute bliss washing over me like a wave. I never want to be without him again. Just like my parents got their second chance, this is ours. And I’m not screwing it up this time.

Behind me, tires roar up the pavement. Headlights beam on us. Luke squints past me at the car that squeals to a stop.

Over my shoulder, I spot a group of guys in the dark interior of a red Cadillac.

My stomach drops.

No. No, no, no. It can’t be him. It can’t?—

When the doors swing open, Stephen steps out of the passenger side and Kade from the back. Marcus from behind the wheel.

Fuck.

Marcus followed me here after spotting me in Wakefield. And this time, he brought back up.

Chapter 32

Luke

“You should’ve stayed out of my town, bitch. You’re not welcome there anymore.” Marcus saunters forward with dead eyes. Clearly the leader of this pack of nutsacks.

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