I immediately regret asking the moment the words leave my lips, but they’re out there and I can’t take them back. If she turned down a sunset ride, why would she say yes to going on a drive with me?
She already caught me waiting outside her room for her—asking her to be alone with me in a car is really laying it on thick. It’s too much, too soon. I’m going to ruin my chance and scare her awa—
“Okay.”
Her soft voice breaks the silent spiral splitting through my head, and it takes me a second to process it.
Before she can change her mind, I jump to my feet and gesture for her to lead the way.
We’retuckedawayandoff the trail, overlooking the wildflowers glowing gold in the sunset. My favorite spot.
This place is special to me in a way I can’t really explain without sounding crazy. I come here a lot. Sometimes to think, sometimes to talk to my mom. I feel closest to her when I’m out here. Like maybe somehow, she can hear me better when I’m here. I know it’s not possible, but it’s comforting to think about it that way.
As I shift into park, Sadie rests her head on her arms in the open window, staring out into the watercolor sunset. The warm glow illuminates her face, and she looks utterly ethereal.
I’ve never wanted time travel to exist more than I do right now. I wouldn’t even hesitate going back in time. Kissing her when I had the chance. Claiming her before Lane ever touches her.
But time travel’s not real, and I never kissed her.
She slipped through my fingers and Lane was there to catch her—and hurt her. It’s all my fault for letting him have that chance.
If I hadn’t been so worried about thatfucking rule, things would look a lot different right now.
Sadie laughs under her breath, sharp and humorless.
“What’s so funny?” I ask quietly.
She shakes her head. “How I could be so stupid.”
“What?” My voice drops. “No. Look at me.”
She doesn’t. Her shoulders rise and fall with a shaky breath.
“Sadie.” I say, firmer this time.
Her eyes meet mine—like green stained glass, brimming with tears.
“You arenotstupid,” I tell her, looking intently into her eyes. “Lane is the stupid one here, okay?”
She shrugs, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m starting to think everyone is right. It’s my own fault that I always find myself in these situations.”
“It’s not your fault.”
She rolls her eyes. “I threw myself into the first person I saw whowasn’t youand latched on. Does that sound like good judgment to you?” She swipes away a tear and huffs a bitter laugh.
Her words knock the air out of me. I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
Who wasn’t you.
I knew it was my fault, but hearing her say I’m what drove her into Lane’s arms is like a sucker punch to the gut.
“Exactly. Can you just…take me back? I shouldn’t have come. I’m not in the mood to be around anyone right now.”
“Sadie—”
“Save it, Wesley. You know I’m right.” She throws her head back into the headrest. “Ugh. I am sofuckingover the back-and-forth of everything.”
The pit in my stomach turns into a black hole. Lane may be an asshole, but I’ve been a complete dick. We both know better than to try and deny that there’s something between us. I have no idea what that something is, but it’s there. I try to push it down, ignore it—but I know she feels it, too.
