Page 16 of Stardusted
“What was that?” Sky glanced up from in front of the car.
“Nothing. I was just…nothing.”
He frowned, squinting as if trying to see me through the windshield. “Right. Are you ready?”
“Yes. Ready. Whenever you are.”
He bent back into position. “Now!”
I tapped the gas, and the car lurched but didn’t go far. My gaze flew to Sky. He dipped his head in acknowledgment, braced again, and strained with another push. His jacket pulled taut across his shoulders. Good God, they were a thing of beauty.
Okay, maybe I could enjoy it alittle.
“More gas!” he shouted over the engine’s rumble.
Averting my gaze, I pressed harder. With a grinding whirl, the wheels caught, and Faith yanked herself out of the ditch. My tires bumped over the uneven ground, jolting me hard enough I winced as I jammed the brakes. But we were out. Shaky with relief, I eased into park, headlights now facing the still-running SUV.
Looking at it, I had the wildest urge to laugh. Seeing it parked there felt almost as crazy as seeing the unidentified?—
Nope. Not going there. Not yet.
I put it aside to analyze later, when I had time and privacy for a mental breakdown. Gathering myself, I climbed out on watery legs. Sky made his way to me, brushing his hands off. When he reached my driver’s side, he flashed a tentative, close-lipped smile.
“It worked.”
“Yeah. Thank you,” I said, hugging my midsection. I should’ve grabbed a coat before work. I hadn’t exactly anticipated loitering on a country lane after dark, though.
He gave me a once-over, the curve to his lips fading. “You sure you’re okay to drive?”
I opened my mouth to say yes?—
But then Faith’s engine sputtered and died.
My stomach plunged. Spinning back to the door, I yanked it open. “No, no, no…”
This couldn’t be happening. I dropped into the seat and turned the key. Something in the car’s innards clicked twice and then nothing. Not even a flicker. I pumped the gas. Tried again.
Click-click-click.Then silence.
I let my head fall forward, resting my forehead on the wheel.
The universe officially hated me.
“Did you run out of gas?”
I jumped. I’d been too caught up to realize Sky now stood right outside my driver’s door. I didn’t look at him, though. I glanced at the very full gauge instead and shook my head. “No. I have plenty of gas. I just filled up.”
Sky didn’t say anything. Just waited. I felt him scrutinizing me through the open window.
“I’m fine,” I said, answering the unspoken question. “You’ve done enough. I’ll just?—”
Leaning into the passenger seat, I rummaged in my purse until I found my phone. I lifted it.
Somehow, I wasn’t surprised to find the screen blank. Despite the fact I could’ve sworn I had at least half a charge left, it was very dead. My shoulders collapsed in.
Dead, like I’d almost been. Like I would’ve been if Sky hadn’t stopped in time. Like I wanted to be after this stupid,stupidday.
I stared at the blank screen I held. My throat tightened. My lower lip gave a telltale tremble. I was going to lose it, finally?—
