Total pages in book: 180
Estimated words: 176012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 880(@200wpm)___ 704(@250wpm)___ 587(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 176012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 880(@200wpm)___ 704(@250wpm)___ 587(@300wpm)
Everything was just on the tip of my tongue, and I feel like it’s been there for years. I couldn’t stop it. Was it weird to him that I was so upset? He doesn’t know that I’ve been nursing a crush my entire life. That I’ve thought about him and dreamed about him.
So attached to the one person I felt a connection to in my life. Pathetic.
I’m not mad at him. Not really. He’s got his reasons, even if he doesn’t trust us enough to tell us, but…
I just…
I don’t want to think about him anymore. I don’t want to hear his name. I don’t want to know where he is or what he’s doing.
For the first time ever, I feel like I have everything in front of me. No idea what or who, but the feeling is there all the same, and every second I move farther and farther away from Lucas Morrow and don’t retract my words feels like I’m becoming someone else. Someone with possibilities.
We fly past my parents’ house, and I jerk my head, seeing my father’s car in the driveway. A light burns in the living room window.
Farrow cruises to a Stop sign, and as soon as we halt, I dry my eyes. “What are you doing?”
He was supposed to take me home.
“Come to Weston,” he says, instead. “We don’t have to fuck. You can sleep in Hunter’s room.”
A small smile is visible at the corner of his mouth.
Hunter lived with Farrow a couple of years ago when they both attended Weston High School. I’d heard he and Dylan still kept his room there, even after they went off to college. Somewhere to do their private things during summers and school breaks when they were out of the dorms.
I almost say no. It’s instinct.
But what would happen if I said yes? No one would know where I was. For once, I’d truly be on my own, but not alone.
And something about his offer is endearing. Like he doesn’t want me to be alone either.
I keep my arms wrapped around him, the heat of his body making me cold everywhere I’m not touching him. I stare at the side of his lips. “And if I’m not tired enough to sleep?”
Turning a little more, he looks at my mouth, our lips inches from each other. Sometimes people just want to connect and not be alone and have a good time...
Isn’t that what Lucas said?
Is there anything wrong with that?
I move in a centimeter. Then another. And Farrow parts his lips.
But then he blinks, pulls back, and exhales hard. “Don’t do that,” he begs. “You’ll regret it when it’s done, and even knowing that, I’d still go to pound-town with you.”
Pound-town? He’s trying to ease the moment by making me laugh, but I’m a little frozen. Not because he pulled away, but because I can’t believe I didn’t.
He looks over his shoulder at me, the bike rumbling under us as he tells me, “I’m collecting Caruthers, you see.”
No, I don’t see, but he’s probably right. I might like the feel of him tonight, but I haven’t thought about him like that. I’d be using him.
I clear my throat. “To my shop then. I’ve got work to do.”
I want to take a look in this Carnival Tower while everyone’s busy at the party. Look through that murder map they have going on the wall, find these phones Hawke is so worried about, and see if he has any blueprints, as well. Lucas Morrow will be on his precious plane before I know it.
Farrow gives the bike some gas, and I hold on tight as he flies off.
We cruise into town—the sidewalks empty, except for the late-night crowd on the patio outside Rivertown. Soft light spills from the street lamps, and the smell of begonias drifts in the warm air from where they hang from poles, each swaying between two banners advertising the Fourth of July Parade and Picnic. Two days of activities Madoc has planned, including community service projects and a historical re-enactment.
Farrow swings into the alleyway behind the shop, and I dig out my key. “Thanks,” I tell him.
His gaze lingers, like he’s second-guessing refusing me, but the momentary temptation has passed. I let him off the hook.
Turning, I head into my shop, hearing his bike retreat back for the street.
I lock the door, leave the lights off, and keep my eyes peeled for any stalkers. These Deacon and Manas guys can’t get in, but they might try. And that ugly green car from the other night still sits in the back of my mind. It’s probably nothing, but it’s too much at once to just dismiss, as well.
Pressing the latch, I push the door in and step inside Carnival Tower, closing it behind me. A whisper of light streams in at the end of the tunnel from the streetlights through the windows in the great room, and I turn on the flashlight on my phone.