“Over here.”
I follow his voice to the small laundry room. He’s standing by the stacked washer and dryer, wearing track pants and no shirt.
Trying not to stare at his chest, I toss my clothes in the dryer. He closes the door and sets it to run, then looks over at me. I pull the towel tighter around my body.
“I can get you a T-shirt, if you want,” he offers.
“I’m good,” I say, because I know the heady smell of his soap and aftershave is probably imprinted on all his shirts.
We walk into the living room, where he lowers himself onto the couch. “Your clothes will be done soon. I can take you home whenever you want.”
“Thanks.”
He moves over, making room for me to sit. The couch is a soft, well-broken-in thing; it practically swallows me. I hold my towel in place, and a strange silence ensues.
So much has happened in such a short time. Only months ago, I was about to start my final year at Liberty High in Allentown, Gran was still alive, and I rarely obsessed about my last name being Thorn.
Now, Gran is dead. I live in Starling and attend a different school. And the nameThornkeeps slapping me in the face everywhere I turn. I’ll never be able to escape it.
The thought triggers another round of tears. Only a couple at first, but then more and more. I know Chase is watching me, but I can’t seem to stop. I bury my face in my hands and stifle a sob.
Chase doesn’t say a word, but he does something unexpected. He pulls me into his arms.
And it feels so nice. Like I’m not so alone.
Everett was always asking if everything was okay. He had to fill every silence. But Chase doesn’t speak. He simply holds me and lets me cry.
“I’m sorry. I don’t even know why I’m crying. It’s not because I thought I saw a body in the lake tonight. I just…”
I trail off, and he lets me.
“I want to leave this town too,” I whisper to him. “When we graduate.”
He doesn’t respond, but when I meet his gaze, I see something there. Complete understanding. So I keep talking.
“I hate it here. I love my family, and the people I’ve met, but I feel like their lives were better without me. I feel like everything I touch turns bad. I don’t want to be a burden to anyone anymore.” I swipe at my tears. “And I know you don’t believe me, but Idocare about Everett. Just not in the way he wants me to. And it’s because I care about him that I know I can’t be with him.”
Chase leans in, so close that I can feel his breath on my skin. “And where do you want to be, Ryan?”
I don’t know the answer to that. All I know is that it’s been a long time since I’ve met a guy who makes my heart race like this.
So I do the absolute wrong thing.
I lick my lips.
He notices. Of course he does. We’re mere inches apart.
He studies me as if determining which part of me he wants to devour first. It’s the same look he gave Sofia earlier tonight. Maybe he’s slept with hundreds of girls, and I’m simply another one on the list. But when he reaches out and brushes a lock of wet hair from my shoulder, his gaze searching mine, I don’t care.
“Chase…”
“Hmm?”
That simple noise, barely a breath, sparks electricity between us. I feel the calluses on his fingertips scrape my bare shoulder. My heart pounds with anticipation. I lick my lips again, and once again he zeroes in on the gesture. His silver eyes blaze with need.
This is really happening.
And I want it to.
