Page 156 of Inside the Sun

Or maybe they just don’t go looking for ways to complicate things?

"Don’t be mad at Ragnar," Summer whispers. "He’s a simple guy. Some things just go over his head. He doesn’t get the emotional stuff, the nuances…"

"Is this your line of defense for him? I’m simple too! An airhead model."

"Being a soldier shaped Ragnar in a particular way. He sees the world in a straightforward way: go right, go left, concrete things, linear paths. What he wants out of life is also simple: getting on his motorcycle and riding wherever the road takes him. Just a country boy. But he’s also… pure, like you. Underneath all that stiff soldier gear. So I think you two are such a perfect match. I just feel—"

My eyes go wide. I stare at him, stunned.

"Wait. Ragnar rides a motorcycle?"

"Of course he does. Every time he’s on leave, he pulls out his bike and hits the road."

A strange shiver runs down my spine, and then I whisper,

"That’s just like the guy I loved. We used to ride together, eat up miles like crazy…"

"Sounds like they would’ve gotten along."

I shake myself out of it and snort impatiently.

"Ugh. But that’s all in the past. And my future doesn’t exist anyway."

I turn and head toward the door, but Summer jumps up and grabs my hand. His small fingers wrap around mine tightly.

"I’m sorry he hurt you. I really am. And I know Ragnar didn’t mean to, he’s just scared. We already lost Moon, and he’s terrified he’s gonna lose me too. Or our parents. He’s trying to control what he can, do whatever it takes to keep us safe. That’s how his mind works, simple logic. Please, if you can find it in your heart, try to forgive him…"

"But why are you the one asking me this, Summer? You’re the last person who should be apologizing. You’re the only one who gave me a chance when he wouldn’t."

Summer doesn’t say anything.

"You know," I whisper, "I don’t blame him for wanting to protect you. I’d want to protect a brother like you too."

I lean toward him a little. "It's you who are truly pure, not us. The seed of the sun is strong in you."

Then, with a slightly rueful smile, I lean in even closer and kiss him gently on the cheek.

His big eyes lock with mine, I smile again, and nod, then turn, wanting to leave his room…

But right then, it feels like something slams into my body. I stagger on my feet, arms flailing, trying desperately to keep my balance, but I fail.

I collapse backward, hard. Summer catches me just in time, but I’m too heavy to stop completely, and he’s caught off guard, so we both go down. He only manages to protect my head from hitting the floor.

A broken sound escapes my throat, a faint cry of pain that shoots through my whole body like a live wire.

"What’s happening?!" I gasp, completely winded.

Everything hurts way too much, like every single cell in my body is being pierced with needles. I can’t move.

"What’s going on, Sun?" Summer’s hands are on my cheeks, and his two-colored eyes are locked on mine.

But I can’t answer.

Because I pass out.

***

When I open my eyes, I’m lying on a narrow bed in an unfamiliar room, dimly lit. Posters of MMA fighters hang on the walls. The glow from a laptop reflects off a ceiling mural of a night sky filled with stars.

---