AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Blowing out a breath, I rub a circle over his back, my fingertips brushing over the skin peeking out above his collar. He’s soaked with sweat, yet he’s cold to the touch. I don’t miss his little shiver.
My mouth dries, and it feels like there’s a boulder-sized lump shoving its way down my throat, settling somewhere in my chest. The urge to slide my hand up and comb my fingers through his short dark hair is sudden and strong.
It’s something I used to do with Mel when she’d get in a fight with her parents over dating me and throw herself into my arms.
Something I did with Abby too as a baby when she was colicky. Rubbing her fuzzy little head was the only thing that helped sometimes. Even when my wrist went numb and my eyes grew heavy, I forced myself to keep going, knowing it was the only comfort I could bring her.
At the reminder of my daughter, I snap my hand back and step away. Skyler stills, and I feel that rock sink down to my toes, rooting me to the spot.
What the hell is this?
What is he doing to me?
This isn’t me.
Running my hands through my hair, I look around, trying to get a feel for where we are. In the corner of my eye, I notice Skyler shakily push to a stand. He keeps his back to me, hands flexing at his sides.
“So I thin—” Before I can so much as finish my thought, he’s off again. Though this time, he at least refrains from running, instead choosing to trudge away, like the moody teenager he is.
“For fuck’s sake,” I rumble, shaking my head before jogging off after him again. “Skyler, just hold up!” Just up ahead, I see an endless, glittering teal sea peeking out from between the trees.
Sounds begin to filter in then. Music. Laughter.
…Splashing?
Frowning, I pull my gaze away from Skyler’s hunched back and look around, just now noticing the jungle seems to be breaking up. Through the thick fronds, I see peeked rooftops.
“The hell?”
There’s no way he got us back that quickly, right? Is he even looking where he’s going? I could’ve sworn—
My boots skid down an unexpected decline, and I have to reach down and push up from the dirt to steady myself. Wiping my hand over my jeans, I pick up my pace, eyes lasered in on the guy striding purposefully into the light.
A volleyball goes sailing through the air, making it look like it’s arcing right over Skyler’s head, when really it’s a lot farther away. Still, it’s enough to tell meexactlywhere we ended up.
“Fuckin’ hell,” I grouse, pumping my legs so I can catch up to him. “Skyler!” I hiss just as he slows down.
“What?” he mumbles, glaring at some unseen spot on the ground.
“Where the fuck are you going?”
“My room.”
My eyes bug out. “Your room is on the other side of the island!”
Skyler shakes his head. “What?”
He goes to push past me again, so I quickly jump in front of him. “Slow down, kid,” I grit out.
Skyler lifts his gaze, shooting fire from those deep brown eyes. Scowling, he says, “I’m not a fucking kid.”
I scowl right back. “Well you’re acting like one right now. Having a little temper tantrum and storming off.”
The second the words spill out, I regret it.
Well, that is until he presses his hands to my chest and shoves me. “Fuck you.”
This time, my body expects it, and I don’t budge an inch.
