Page 64 of Only Some Stars Fall

“I’m so sorry.” He breathes into my hair. “I’m sorry for everything.” Setting me gently on my feet, he cups my face, brushing away the rain or tears; it’s impossible to tell which it is at this point.

He looks into my eyes, eyes I thought may never look at him again. “I love you, Everly Burke. I know I have a lot to figure out, and I know it won’t be easy, but I love you. I am so sorry it took me so long to get here.”

Finally, after three months of so much uncertainty and so many tears, they both disappear. I smile up at him. “I love you too.”

“So much.”

THIRTY

EVERLY

Last night,after greeting his family, Storm and Mr. Anderson were taken to the local hospital to be checked out. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries, and they were released after some rest and rehydration. I didn’t want to let Hux out of my sight, especially with only twenty-four hours left in Silsby. I knew his family had a long road ahead of them and needed some time with just the four of them, so I went back to his cabin and waited for him.

By the time Hux returned, we didn’t waste much time talking but reconnected in the best way we could. Comforting each other until our eyes couldn’t stay open and our bodies ached.

Hux was gone by the time I awoke.

I knew Hux was feeling anxious and unsure of how to act or approach his brother. I hoped that in the next few months, their family could start to unpack and piece together some of the tragedies they have all been living with.

I spent the day with Alex, my best friend, the one I had tothank for a whirlwind of a summer. We packed up our room and enjoyed the time we had left.

The forecast showed no breaks in the relentless rain for the next seven days, but then a miracle happened. The rain tapered off enough for Hux and me to hike up to the old crashed helicopter in the late afternoon.

Just like the first time Hux brought me to this place, we have the clearing to ourselves as we sit on the same blanket as every picnic before. The clouds are still heavy and dark, but the sun peeks out every once in a while, and I soak in every ray.

“I brought us a little something.” He digs through his backpack, finally producing a can of spray paint. The cocky smirk I fell so hard for is plastered across his face.

“Really?”

“Let’s do it!”

We walk awayfrom the helicopter a little while later, the blue paint still wet on a fresh heart with the letters H+E in the middle.

Fall has fully arrived in Silsby, the humidity and lake days pushed out by the rain and replaced with raw, crisp new air.

“I can’t believe I have to leave this place tomorrow.” I pop a grape into my mouth.

“Silsby won you over, huh?”

“You won me over.” He leans in and gently kisses the top of my head.

“You think Hannah will let me in your dorm room?” He smirks at me.

“Oh, you’re going to have to grovel. I suggest bringing her gifts.”

“Good to know.”

There is a pause in conversation, a melancholy we both want to avoid but can’t any longer.

“You know it’s still unclear if leaving here will be in my future, right?” Disappointment drips from the words. “Storm is back, but he’s not the Storm from before. I have no idea what he wants or what he is capable of. I have a feeling it’s going to get messier before it gets better.” Looking down, he wrings his hands in his lap.

“Hux, I know it’s not going to be easy. I didn’t sign up for easy, not from the minute I broke all those wine bottles.” I scoot my body between his legs, pressing my back to his chest. “We will find a way to make it work, people do long distance all the time. I have school breaks, so I can come up, and you can come visit on weekends. Hopefully, once Storm starts to help out, your workload will be more manageable.”

“I love your optimism, Ev, but you’re going back to college. There will be people, opportunity, and a life I can’t fully be a part of right now.”

“Remember when I told you I chose to believe some stars will burn bright forever? Our star hasn’t burned out, and it’s not going to. I’m yours, Hux Anderson. Forever. I mean it.”

My fingers dancein the wind as we head down the same winding back roads that we traveled up three months ago. This time around, I welcome the brisk air that gives my skin a slight bite, making my flesh goose bump. I suck in large breaths of balsam air as Alex and I sing along to our familiar playlist.

---