Page 61 of Find My Way Down to You

I cock my head. “Meaning?”

For a beat, Cary chews on his lip. Hesitance fills his expression again. He lets out a sigh. “I have seen enough to know that is what all you mortals do. Whatever you want. You treat choices like a game.”

A snort tickles my nose.

I don’t treat choices like a game. How can I? I’ve been losing ever since Ichoseto get behind the wheel of London’s dad’s car. When I chose to get distracted by a song playing over the speakers. By London’s smile and the light turning green.

It feels like I never make the right choice.

Until now.

Closing the distance between us, I say, brightly, “I’m coming back for that party. With or without your help.”

He swallows, unblinking. Silent. Good, I don’t have the strength to fight with him any longer.

I’m so angry, so flustered, I don’t pay attention. My foot catches on a root, and I trip.

Before I slam into the ground, there’s a flash of movement. I’m caught mid-fall. An arm tight around my back. A hand cradles my head. Wide black eyes stare down into mine.

“Are you okay, August?”

I’m too startled to answer. My fingers dig into his shirt. He doesn’t complain. He doesn’t do anything but watch me, gaze roaming as if he’s hunting for injuries. But there are none because I never hit the ground.

Cary didn’t let me.

He…he protected me.

“I’m fine,” I say between unsteady breaths. He continues to hold me in his arms like I’m featherlight. Absently, my fingers run up his arm. I feel the smooth bicep under his Henley. The strong, taut muscles.

When he looks, I yank my hand away as if burned.

“Th-thanks,” I stammer.

Cary stands us up. He releases me. Light washes over his pink cheeks. Is that a blush? Noticing me staring, he turns away.

“I will bring you back,” he says evenly. “If you want.”

“You will?” My voice is a whisper on the breeze.

Cary nods his head once.

He keeps his back to me, concentrating on the dancing limbs of a cypress tree as if they’re the most fascinating thing he’s ever seen.

A knot tightens my chest. I can’t explain why I suddenly want him to look atmethat way. It’s a fleeting thought I blame on the adrenaline.

When the dizziness settles, I say, “So…is it time for me to go home?”

Cary answers with an outstretched hand. He waits for me to take it.

I do.

When my eyes blink open, the world is fuzzy. Quiet. Darkness with hints of silver swims through my vision. Shards of moonlight cut through the half-cracked blinds over my bedroom window. It’s nighttime.

I pat my shirt. I’m wearing the same one from this morning. And it’s dry. I don’t know why I’m surprised. Likeeverything that has happened is just the same dream I keep waking from over and over.

Maybe it is.

Except, something blurred sits in my periphery.