Page 58 of The Late Hit
We are in a library, after all.
“Wilder. Wasn’t sure if I should approach or ignore you.”
She folds in on herself. She looks defeated. And I hate that. Brynn isn’t easily defeated. She’s tough and strong. Independent and vocal. Not resigned and quiet. She brings that cheek back between her teeth, and her eyes well up with unshed tears.
“Shit, Brynn.” I squat down so we are eye to eye, even though she’s trying to avoid looking me in the eye. “I was being a dick.”
“No, no you weren’t,” she interrupts me. “It’s just a bad week, okay?”
Her eyes find mine, and so much is told in that look. There’s pain, sadness, and vulnerability in that look.
That’s when it hits me. It’s anniversary week.
“I didn’t even think.” I rub my hand down my neck.
“I didn’t come out and say it. After this weekend and everything that happened on Sunday night, I just needed a minute to breathe. But then Monday came, and it brought anniversary week. Chloe and Macy got into a nasty fight. It’s awkward at home. And I’m just trying to survive. We had a huge exam tonight. That’s why I didn’t come last night. A bunch of us met here to study, and I just didn’t think.” She rushes out all of these excuses, and honestly, I don’t need it.
I should’ve known that this was going to be a hard week for her and let her be.
“When I got home last night, I was going to text you, but then I saw your text. I decided I was just going to get through tomorrow, and then we could talk.”
“I shouldn’t have sent that text.” I blurt out. Placing my hand on her thigh, I bring my other hand up to her face, pulling her chin up to look at me. “We’ll talk later. I’m sorry for being a dick.”
Brynn flings her arms out, wrapping them around my neck, pulling me into a hug.
“Thanks for understanding. Sorry, I shut down. It’s a bad habit.”
“It’s all good,” I answer, because it is. I get it. We all have our own way of grieving, and I’m fortunate enough to not have any clue about what’s going on in her mind. I press a quick kiss to her temple before standing up. “I’m late for studying.”
She smiles up at me, and I walk away, leaving behind my girl.
“Youdon’thavetodo it, Brynn,” Asher says from beside me. He’s holding my hand as we stand shoulder to shoulder.
Bryce had just dared me to do a backflip off the back of the boat. And all I can think about is smacking my head off the stern.
It’s the summer before our sophomore year. The weather is perfect. It’s one of those summer days where it’s hot but not too hot. The Nelsons picked Bryce and me up for a day on Lake Michigan. Mr. Nelson just got a new forty-seven-foot Carver yacht. He couldn’t wait to get it on the water. Mrs. Nelson came over and got us, since we were home alone with Nadia.
“I’m scared,” I rush out, voice barely above a whisper.
Asher places his hand on my lower back, and I swear his touch is more powerful than the sun’s rays. My body instantly heats from his touch. His touches have been coming more and more frequently. We’ve shifted from friends to awkward teens navigating dating, and now there’s a more powerful urge beneath our skin.
“What are you scared of?” he asks, eyes searching my face.
Asher knows I’ll tell him the truth. I’ve never lied to him. Not in all the years we’ve known each other.
With a sigh, I look out across the lake. Bryce is floating on his back waiting for me to flip, while Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are both sunning on the bow.
“Everything,” I answer.
Asher uses the hand that he’s holding to bring me toward him. His other hand finds my hip, pulling me so that our bodies are flush. Withdrawing his hand from mine, he brings his hand up to my face. Cupping the side of my face, he drags his thumb across my jawline. His gaze locks on mine.
“As long as I’m standing next to you, you have nothing to be scared of, babe. I love you.”
Lowering his mouth to mine, his lips find mine, locking us together in a searing kiss.
Warm tears stream down my face as I fight to hold on to the memory. Sleep is slipping from my grasp as my body tries to wake up. I will myself to fight it, the consciousness. I want to be back there. Back with my brother. Back with my boyfriend. Back before everything changed. Squeezing my eyes shut, I beg my body to give me five more minutes. I’m desperate. I just need five more minutes of hearing their laughter, seeing their smiles, and remembering what it was like to have my heart feel complete.
But that doesn’t happen. My consciousness awakens, and my slumber is officially gone. Slowly, my eyes open, but the tears don’t stop. Rolling over to my side from my back, I pull the sleeves of the oversized hoodie up over my hands, resting my hands under my head, as my body curls into itself.
