Page 30 of Mercy & Malice

“Slow down, we’re going to need to preserve some oxygen,” he says, pulling me closer to him.

Five things I can see, I recite in my head. “Dark, it’s dark. I can’t see anything else. I need five things.”

I feel Micah shift before a light shines and he places his phone next to my head. “Okay, tell me five things that you see.”

“Micah, I can’t,” I cry, clenching my eyes shut.

“Then give me five things you hate about me.”

“What?”

“Five things, give them to me. I know you probably have more, but we’ll start with five things you hate about me at this moment.”

“You’re drunk, and happy, and mean to your brother, smell really good, and make me feel safe.”

“Good, girl,” he whispers then asks, “Tell me four things I need to improve on.”

“Being nice to Luca, your grades, your idea of a joke, and the ability to know when you’re wrong.”

“Never wrong. But three things you want to do with me.”

“Get the hell out of here, prom, and oh you know, get the hell out of this coffin.”

“We’ll get out of here soon.” His face stretches into a half smile. “Now give me two things you like about yourself.”

“My compassion and organizational skills.”

His fingertips graze over my cheek. “One thing you like about me.”

I feel like I’m answering the hardest yet easiest question of all. “Everything.”

He leans forwards, presses his lips to mine as he gives me a soft kiss. “Are you okay?”

“No.”

“You will be. I promise.” He gives me another tender kiss before he says, “Just relax and we’ll be out of here before you know it. And you can pretend you aren’t enjoying being trapped with me, and I’ll pretend I gave you a hard time. You can even call me a butthead.”

“You are a butthead.”

He laughs and I do too. God, why do we have to feel so right? It’d be easier to partner with anyone but him, but I couldn’t get through this with anyone except him.

He’s right. The time passes faster than I expect and we’re released.

We’re finally free and I replay the conversation and almost regretting telling him how safe he made me feel.

Luca tells Ivy, “Let’s go get something to eat.”

“Do you only think of food? I need a shower and change of clothes.”

She’s right. We’re all filthy, but I feel dirty for another reason entirely. “We all do, but let’s get something to eat and celebrate not dying. I’m starving now that I know I’m not going to suffocate next to this butthead.”

“At least you would’ve gone out with a smile on your face,” Micah says with a knowing one on his.

Why had I admitted it? I gave him the truth. Everything about him is right. I just never would confess because I can’t act on it. “There was no smiling on my part. You snored the entire damn time.” I hurry to escape his amused gape before I add a little extra, “I can’t believe I just wasted so many hours of my life buried with a dickhead.”

“Can’t wait to see what’s next,” Micah yells in response.

Damn it. Something happened between us. Something that I never expected. Yeah, we’ve kissed and messed around before, but it was definitely nothing serious. And I crossed a line I never have before. We both know it. And I can chalk it up to being scared, but that would be the biggest lie of all.