Page 75 of People Like Us

Time blurred as the sky deepened into an inky blue, streaks of fading sunlight dancing through the treetops. Then, August’s voice cut through the darkness, “Any luck?”

I jerked my head up, neck aching from scouring the forest floor, to find Wyatt standing with him.

“No,” Emily replied tersely, taking our shared flashlight and marching towards them. “Switch partners with me,” she demanded of August.

Wyatt looked alarmed. “Oh, I don’t think—“

“I don’t care,” Emily cut him off, striding away with the expectation that Wyat would follow. He hesitated, eyes flicking between August and me before rolling his eyes and trailing after her.

August’s face was illuminated by his flashlight, his green eyes searching mine with intense concern. “You okay?” he asked softly, closing the distance between us.

I bit my lip, checking our surroundings to ensure we were alone. Most everyone had moved towards the large white house at the top of Cloverfield Farms, while Emily and I had ventured deeper into the woods.

August brushed a damp strand of hair from my cheek, his fingers lingering at the nape of my neck. “Tell me you’re okay,” he urged softly.

I nodded. “I’m okay.”

“Are you being honest?” he asked, pain etched in his voice.

I shook my head, admitting the truth.

“Can you tell me what’s wrong?” he pressed. I shook my head again, the words stuck in my throat.

He paused briefly before pulling me close, his arms wrapping tightly around my shoulders. My face pressed against his chest, heartbeat wild against my ear, the scent of the woods clinging to his clothes.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t have our study session today,” I murmured into his shirt.

August’s shoulders shook with a small laugh. “Don’t be sorry. It’s not like you planned for a kid to go missing.”

Guilt twisted in my stomach. “I know,” I whispered desperately. “I just miss you.”

August pulled back, his thumbs pressing under my jawline, forcing me to meet his gaze. “You have me,” he asserted.

I nodded, wanting it to be true. But I didn’t know how much of August I could really have when I could never give him the parts of me that mattered.

August glanced around briefly, a devilish grin spreading across his face. He clicked off the flashlight, casting us into darkness, and shoved it into his jacket pocket. He moved swiftly, gripping the backs of my thighs and lifting me.

“August! You’re going to get all muddy,” I gasped, instinctively wrapping my legs around his waist.

“I don’t care,” he murmured, his mouth pressing against my throat. Before I could register his touch, my back was against a tree, the damp bark soaking through my cardigan.

“August…” I breathed as his mouth found my jaw, nipping at the skin.

“I almost called you last night. Begged you to ditch church and come to my bedroom instead,” he confessed, his words piercing deep within me.

His mouth was on me then, his full lips pressing firmly to mine. I opened to him instinctively, and his tongue pushed in, snaking around mine as he moaned into my mouth. I felt like he was trying to consume me whole.

“You’ve never kissed me on the lips before,” I said breathlessly, when we finally broke apart.

“I was afraid I wouldn’t get it perfect.” The words came out muffled against my lips. He pressed three small kisses against them, each more tender than the last.

“August,” I pushed at his chest, forcing him to look at me. His pupils were dilated, his lips swollen. “I had sex with Andy last night,” I admitted quietly, the words tumbling out.

I didn’t know if I was trying to self-sabotage or push him away to save him from the long list of awful things I’d done in the last twenty-four hours.

His smile was feral, spreading wide across his face. “Did you come?” he asked, amusement lacing his voice.

“What?” I breathed, searching his face for any hint of betrayal, and finding none.