Page 104 of Fault Line

“I love you.”

“I love you, too,” she whispers back, her voice full of contentment, and it feels like I’m in fucking heaven.

In this moment, at the top of the lighthouse with the moonlight streaming in, I feel like we’ve truly found something special. That there’s this unbreakable bond that’s woven its way between us.

And as we lie here, entwined beneath the stars, slumber tugging at the edges of our consciousness, I know that there’s nothing—in this entire goddamn world—that could feel any better than this.

37

KAIA

The cold airnips at my cheeks as I stand outside the rink, waiting for Holden to finish his final practice before their ten-day recess. I’m excited to spend the upcoming holiday season with him, even if it means breaking my usual traditions.

Lately, I’ve been getting back into my CBT workbooks, practicing some nightly journaling along with the exercises. With winter break starting and applications finally out of the way, I’ve had more time to dive in.

It feels good knowing that I’m actively working towards being happier and healthier, and with Holden’s support, the journey seems a little more manageable.

As I wait, I spot a familiar face in the parking lot, but I can’t seem to place him right away. It’s a man, tall with dark hair, leaning against the bed of his truck. I stare at him for a moment too long, and he approaches me with a slightly guarded expression.

That’s when it all clicks inside my brain. It’s Elio’s older brother, Luca, and he must be out here waiting for his wife to finish up. I haven’t seen him in a long while, not since last Christmas, but I’ve known the guy since I was eight years old.

“Hey, Luca!” I call out, waving enthusiastically.

“Kaia.” He nods in acknowledgment, his face serious but not unfriendly. “It’s been a long time.”

“It has. How have you been?”

“Just fine,” he says. “Yourself?”

“Great, actually,” I say with a grin. “Just waiting for my boyfriend to finish up in there.”

As I move in for a hug, I remember too late that Luca isn’t much for physical affection. He stands stiffly, clearly uncomfortable but not in a rude sort of way. I quickly brush it off, not wanting to make him feel any more awkward.

“Sorry,” I mutter, my cheeks reddening.

He waves off my concern. “No worries.”

“So, what brings you here?”

He scratches the back of his head, his gaze flicking away for a quick moment. “Harper had to run some errands, so I thought I’d pick her up after practice and tag along.”

“Oh, that’s nice of you,” I say, sliding my hands into my front pockets. “How’s she doing?”

“She’s good.” His expression softens as he thinks about her. “Busy, as always, but good.”

“And Juney?” I ask, curious about their daughter.

“Good. She’s with Ma today.”

“It must be nice that she’s around to watch her sometimes.”

He grunts his agreement, and we stand there for a moment, an easy silence settling between us. I glance back toward the rink, wondering how much longer it’ll be before Holden emerges.

“So,” Luca starts, looking at me with a hint of curiosity. “Are you coming over for the holidays again this year? Elio mentioned you might be, but he wasn’t sure.”

I shake my head, feeling a slight pang of guilt for not spending Christmas with Elio and his family like I usually do. “Actually, I’m going to spend it with Holden this year,” I say. “I figured it’d be nice for us to have our first Christmas together, you know?”

He nods in understanding. “Good for you two.”

---