Page 117 of Crash & Burn

“What band?” Annie asks.

“Pink Roses. They’re a folk-pop band based out of Chicago. They were up here for a show, so we did a cute shoot to promote their new single.”

“How cute! I want to see,” Annie replies.

“Do you guys want to come to my apartment? We can head there before you guys go home. It isn’t too far from here.”

“Works for me,” Annie says, looking at Luke who nods.

“Yeah, I want to see too!” Drew says, which means Emmett will be coming too.

I turn to look at Eddie who has had his eyes on me this whole time, I could feel his gaze as I talked, blood rushing to my chest trying to stay calm.

“Wouldn’t miss it,” he says, his lips curved to one side, his dimple on full display. And I want to kiss his smirk right off his face.

I only live a few blocks from where we are, but the rest of the crew drove here. Mateo and Eddie drove to the show together, but Mateo got a ride to wherever he was going. Drew, Emmett, Luke, and Annie are finishing their drink while Eddie and I hop in his truck to head back to my place. I told them not to rush because I wanted to make sure the apartment was ready for company. They will probably be about half an hour behind us

“I want to clean up a little bit before they all come over,” I tell Eddie as we walk to where his truck is parked. Annie and Drew have each been to my place before, but it is the first time I’ve hosted all the Lenny’s crew.

“I can help,” he says, grabbing my hand and bringing it up to his lips.

We walk in comfortable silence, and I use the few seconds to take a breath, feeling the weight of our friend’s eyes on us lift. Putting on our act is getting harder and harder these days; the more I fall for Eddie, the harder it is to pretend he is just a friend.

Now that we’re alone, a surge runs through me. There are pods of people in their own worlds, standing outside the bars, enjoying the nightlife of downtown. To everyone else, we are just a couple walking to our car. Holding hands. Falling for each other more and more.

I have had to push down all of my feelings, put on an act, but it all melts away when it is just the two of us.

Is this how Eddie always feels?

I’ve been doing it for a few months. Eddie has been doing it for years. Burying his true feelings just to make everyone around him more comfortable. Not wanting to worry them.

And now I’m making him do the same for me.

Hiding him away like a dirty little secret even though he is so much more than that.

“Mia?” I hear, and I turn to look up at Eddie’s concerned eyes.

“We have to tell Mateo.”

The concern fades, but it is replaced with confusion.

“Something on your mind, sunshine?”

“Is this how you always feel?”

“You’re going to have to give me a little more than that.” We get to his truck, and I lean back against the passenger side door.

“Pretending, putting on a fake face, wearing a mask in front of your friends. This is exhausting. I don’t want to have to wait until we’re in the car to hold your hand or kiss you. I want to be able to do it whenever I want.”

Eddie holds my hand in one of his and reaches to cup my cheek with the other, leaning down to press his forehead against mine. “You make me feel like I don’t have to wear this mask anymore. I told you once, and I will tell you again. I’m ready to show the world that I’m yours. I’m done pretending.”

His lips crash into mine, and I know that this is it.

He may be happy being mine, but I am so proud to be his.

The breath from my lungs is gone, butterflies filling every inch of my soul.

When he kisses me, nothing else matters.

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