Page 5 of Glass Wings

She’s pushing through the crowd, Kennedy right behind her, eyes wide as they land on me.

She doesn’t see the drink.

She just sees me pinned down, security grinding my face into the cushions like I’m the problem.

“Easton!” she screams, voice ragged, panicked.

“Stay back!” one of the guards barks, holding an arm out as she tries to reach me.

The guy I hit is already talking to another guard, still clutching his jaw and gesturing wildly toward me. His friends circle like sharks, all versions of the same slick smile, the same expensive watch.

I see one of them bend low. He whispers something to the security chief and slips a bill into his pocket, along with something else. A nod passes between them, too quick to be anything innocent, and I know I’m fucked.

Then the radio crackles. “Physical altercation.” Radio static. “We’ve got Miami PD 2 minutes out.”

I jerk against the cuffs. “What? That’s bullsh⁠—”

The guard shoves me forward. “You’re lucky we don’t break your damn nose before they get here.”

Harley’s voice cuts through the noise. “He didn’t do anything! Please, he’s innocent. Ethan do something!” She demands, screaming at Kennedy’s boyfriend who is standing there in shock.

“Miss, please step aside,” the guard says, like she’s invisible.

“Harley,” I call, twisting to look at her, to find her eyes, needing her to hear me. “It’s not what it looks like. Stay calm. Please.”

Her mouth is trembling, eyes glassy. She nods, but I can see the confusion and fear.

The cops come too fast. Red and blue lights are flashing just outside the tent. The guards hand me off like I’m nothing.

“Easton Diggs?” one officer says, like he already knows the answer.

“That’s me,” I grit out. He pats me down.

“You’re under arrest for aggravated assault.”

Cold metal cuffs replace the zip ties. The officer reads me my rights, but I barely hear them over Harley’s voice, desperately calling my name, and the pounding in my head.

They pull me through the crowd. People watch, and whispers follow. And Harley, she’s still there, just out of reach, eyes shining under the strobe lights, lips forming words I can’t hear. She’s trying to follow the mass of uniforms that drag me away, Kennedy hot on her heels and Ethan following close behind. I can only hope, and pray, he gets them out of here safely, because there’s nothing, I can do with this cold metal pressing into my wrists.

When they shove me into the back of the squad car, I meet her eyes one last time through the tinted glass.

I promised her I’d never leave her again.

And here I was, in handcuffs, breaking that promise all over again.

I just hope she’ll believe me when I finally get to explain my side of things.

Two

HARLEY

One Week Earlier

I had been so excited for today, after numerous trips to the mall with Kennedy to pick out outfits for this weekend. I was stricter, much harder on myself with what foods I ate, so that I’d look perfect in the skimpy top and tiny shorts. And yet, the hotel light is a cruel punishment for all the meals I missed.

I stare at my reflection, the light bouncing off my skin. Too white. Too honest. It peels away kindness and leaves only edges.

I stand in front of the mirror in the top I bought just for today, tiny white ties at the shoulders, a ruffle that’s supposed to feel flirty. I twist sideways, and the ruffle folds wrong. My eye goes straight to the soft curve at my waist, the one that wasn’t there last summer…or maybe it was, and I just didn’t let myself see it.