Page 263 of Cross the Line
Fucking love you so much, Fin
Eli
To the ends of the universe, beautiful
A different kind of weight drops onto my chest, chilling the warmth of our flirting and warring with the lusty tension.
Tears prick the back of my eyes at their declarations. I can hear their raspy, gruff voices whisper the words in my ears. In that low, soulful rake that has my insides vibrating with the depth of their intensity as I reply too late for them to see.
Love you to infinity.
To distract myself, I open other messages. A couple from Summer I skim, then one from Christina.
Tina
Brunch this weekend. You and me only. Girl time.
Umm…
Who this?
Ha. Ha.
I’m finally freeeeeeeee…
I miss you
This weekend. You, me, and bottomless mimosa brunch at Frei Étoile.
Carbs
Booze
Girly gossip
My phone vibrates with Christina’s funny face shining up at me. It seems like forever since we’ve spoken. However, when I answer, her chipper “Hi” greets me like we spoke just yesterday.
“It’s stupid to text when we can actually talk.” Her voice is sleepy and upbeat as she continues, “I’m sorry I haven’t been around. This last assessment was so fucking hard, and with work… It’s been impossible to keep up with everything.”
“Don’t apologize, I understand. It’s been kinda crazy with all the Es here.”
“Yeah, I can’t believe major dickwad posted bail. It’s ridiculous, given he’s charged with assault and battery. Anyway, fuck the bastard, how’re you doing?” A huffy sigh echoes down the line as I grab the ingredients to start on the pancake batter.
“Actually, I’m good. Looking forward to having my guys back home. Kailey’s moving to LA in the summer, so she’s staying with us until her dorm’s assigned, and Salem is still here, too.”
“One big dysfunctional family,” Christina chuckles, a sad rasp graveling the lightness.
“Yup. We definitely don’t fit the mold. It works, though.” My laugh brings back hers. “So, aside from school, what else is going on?”
With a long exhale, she grumbles, “Same old. My mom showed up at my door lastweek. Half-cut… drunk…”
“And?” That heavy cloud on my shoulders bears down at her audible swallow.
“Same old. I cleaned her up, gave her the cash she needed to get dealers off her back, and she was gone before I woke up.”
“Tina…”
“Yeah, I know, Fin… I don’t have to look after her. Trust me, I know, but someone needs to do it.”
