Page 18 of Only Some Stars Fall

“What was that about?” I ask when he hangs the radio up.

“Oh, Big Earl was found. His boat was down at cabin six. Supposedly, he had stopped to talk to some out-of-staters on their dock, and they invited him for a drink.” Hux takes his hat off and pushes his hair back, leaving both hands on the back of his head as he looks up at the sky.

“Seriously?”

“Yup, passed out cold in the guest’s front bushes,” he grumbles. “Time to get you home, Cinderella,” he mocks as he goes to start the engine.

I might not know much about boats, but I know that the clicking noise I’m hearing in place of the motor rumbling to life is not good.

Not good at all.

Hux attempts the starter multiple times with no luck. His voice echoes as he yells, “Fuck!” into the nothingness. “This would be my fucking luck tonight.”

He gets back on the radio, and after several curse-filled transmissions, I gather that we are currently stranded until his father or someone else at the resort can come out to tow us back. Based on the restaurant and bar being slammed earlier and how far out on the lake we are, I assume I can kiss my party plans goodbye. What is more concerning is how little disappointment I feel about this. Hux, on the other hand, is wearing his frustration proudly. Heaven forbid he has to keep Ashlee waiting.

I can already tell this is going to get interesting.

After a solid thirtyminutes of Hux’s tinkering and sporadic explosive profanities at the motor, the boat will still not run. I surrender to the fact that we aren’t going anywhere as he continues his aggressive attack on the motor. I lie down on the deck of the boat and watch the stars instead. Luckily, there is little wind, so we don’t seem to be drifting anywhere.

Once Hux exhausts every demeaning name he can think of on the non-living piece of equipment, he throws himself down beside me. We lie shoulder to shoulder in silence. The skin on my arm that is making contact with him is so hot I feel like I might combust at any moment, and yet, I’m terrified to move a muscle and break the minor physical connection.

Finally, I whisper, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many stars.” The lake is silent other than the soft lapping of water against the boat. My voice, even quiet, feels intrusive.

“Really is something, isn’t it?” For once, he sounds relaxed. “Aurora Lake was named after the night sky. People have forever sworn this lake is one of the best places to view the northern lights.”

“I’ve never seen them, have you?”

“A couple of times. My dad used to wake my brother and me up anytime he caught a glimpse of them.” I remember seeing the photo in the lobby of the young boys, but something in Hux’s voice makes me refrain from asking where his brother is now. A somber tone coats his voice as if childhood memories are too painful for much detail.

I feel the warmth of Hux’s breath on my cheek. He’s no longer looking at the sky but instead at me. If I dare to turn my face just slightly, our noses will be touching. I keep my eyes locked on the Milky Way sparkling above me.

A star streaks across the sky, leaving a brilliant tail in its wake. “Woah!” I gasp as I bring myself up on my elbows.

Mouth agape, I’m speechless. I try to comprehend how, in a split second, something so beautiful could start and end, then disappear forever.

“It’s funny how only some stars fall,” I whisper.

“Well, technically, they will all burn out someday, or already have, and we are just seeing the aftermath,” Hux states matter-of-factly.

“What? Who says that?”

“Astronomers. Science.”

“Well, I choose not to believe science on this one. I don’t want to imagine a world without stars.”

I lower myself back down, anticipating the warmth of Hux’s shoulder, but it isn’t there. He’s sitting up now, looking at his watch, probably calculating how long before he’ll be lying next to, under, on top of, or behind Ashlee, not me.

“I guess I’ll give her another go. Maybe time will have straightened her out.” We both stand, and I head back toward the benches at the bow. As I walk past him, he turns the key, and the engine abruptly rumbles to life. It startles me, and I trip over my feet, landing squarely in Hux’s arms. The force of my body pins him to the boat window behind him.

“Still haven’t found your lake legs, have you?” His sarcastic tone seems to be replaced with something playful. I’m suddenly very aware that his hands are firmly grasping my hips.

My heart is pounding so violently out of my chest that I’m positive he can feel it. I look up at him, trying to think of some remark that will make this less awkward and cut the tension that is rapidly building. My lip quivers as his gaze locks with mine. I can’t say for sure who makes the first move, but our lips slam into each other’s. This kiss is not gentle; it’s hungry and urgent as I press my body harder against his. I hear nothing, but theblood rushing through every vein in my body and taste only him. All other senses evaporate.

I’m entirely consumed yet still a little timid, keeping my hands where I can see them, firmly planted on his shoulders while his, on the other hand, grip the curve of my ass. I can feel him against my stomach. His tongue moves into my mouth, and I willingly let it explore. My confidence building, I lower my hands down his body and across the contours of his chest.

Instantly, I’m blinded, but unfortunately, it’s not from the sensation of Hux’s hands but actual light. A boat is speeding toward us with a spotlight. Realizing how quickly it’s approaching, I jump back, putting a safe amount of distance between Hux and me.

“Brian,” he grumbles, pushing his hair out of his face and placing his baseball hat back on.

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