Page 67 of When Sky Breaks

Sky’s eyes widen and she covers her mouth with both her hands. Tears gather in the corners as she takes another look around. “Are you serious? You’re doing this? Building this?”

My heart pounds. “I knew I’d never be able to go back in time and change the past. I saw what your dad did to you, and I hated it with every fiber in me.” Emotions claw at my throat. “I couldn’t stand to let another kid go through that and not do anything about it. When I came home and talked with Catalina about you, it came tumbling out—what I witnessed with your dad. I’m sorry, I probably shouldn’t have told her?—”

Sky plows into my chest and wraps her arms around me. “Stop, I’m not—I’m not mad.”

I brush the stray strands of hair from her eyes, swallowing around the lump that refuses to leave.

“I’m stunned. I’m—oh god, I’m going to cry some more.” She buries her head in my chest, and I hold her in my arms, breathing in the soft scent of her hair, absorbing the feel of her body against mine.

She eventually steps back, a small puff of air leaving her lips as she swipes away the tears and makeup smeared under her eyes. “I don’t really know what to say. This is—this is incredible.”

My heart beats faster as I stride across the unfinished floor that will be carpeted at the end of construction and pull open a small linen closet in the bathroom. I run my fingers over the metal before placing it behind me and walking back to Sky. Her gaze is all over the place. I can see the wheels in her head turning, churning over what the final product will look like.

“I had this made and thought it might look good hung on a wall. Maybe you can help me hang it?”

My throat dries as she takes the plaque from my outstretched hand, running her trembling fingers over the raised letters.

Chase’s Place

In loving memory of a life gone too soon but never forgotten.

“I hope it’s okay to, uh—to name this after him. But Sky, listen to me. None of the things I’m doing are meant to make you see me any differently. I just needed you to see it. To know that Chase’s death wasn’t in vain.”

“It’s beautiful,” she whispers, tears once again flowing down her face. “I love it, August, I really do.”

“Will you help me?” I ask, leading us over to a wall near the living room that isn’t changing in the construction.

She positions it on the wall and holds it while I drill in the screws. I brush away the excess drywall dust and examine my work. Soon, I feel her eyes searing into me and I swivel my head.

Our eyes meet, and the world slows to a stop. There’s electricity in the air, the hairs on my neck at attention, and my breaths shallow. The pulse of blood in my body pounds as time ceases to exist.

One step, then two, and she crashes right into me, surging up to fuse her lips with mine.

It’s instinct to tug her to my chest—angling my head to chase her fervent kisses with my own, letting her feel every shred of sorrow I harbor, every atom of love I still hold for her. And every bit of regret I’ll carry for the rest of my life.

She gasps as I delve my tongue inside, but she doesn’t let go.

Buoyed by a small scrap of hope, I take whatever she’ll give me. If I never get to kiss her again, then I’ll live knowing what it feels like one last time.

She’s as soft as spun cotton, and I grip her with my hands like a desperate man. I groan when her tongue glides against mine, making my cock harden in my jeans. She tunnels her fingers into my hair and presses her body even closer, hips to chest. I breathe in her apple scent, soaking up her warmth. There’s the overwhelming desire to claim her all for myself.

Suddenly, Sky pushes away from me, her hand covering her mouth, her blue eyes wide and wild. Her cheeks flush a cherry red. Even she can’t deny the chemistry we still have. Yet guilt consumes me. I keep taking and taking from her like a thief with no conscience.

Heart rattling in my ribcage, I gulp down a deep breath. “I’m sorry?—”

She stops me, placing a hand around my wrist, her head down and shoulders shaking. “It’s not your fault. I—I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry.” She looks up, her brows creased down the middle, her lips swollen and pink.

I glance away before I do it all over again.

“I should go,” she says, clearing her throat as she puts more distance between us. “I love all this, August. It’s amazing, and I can’t believe you’re doing this.” She pauses and speaks more to herself. “Actually, I can believe it. It’s just the type of person you are.”

Sky takes one more step toward the stairs before turning back. “Thank you.”

Maneuvering past Catalina, who’s lumbering up the stairs, plate in hand, Sky leaves, and I’m still too shocked to do anything other than stand like a statue.

“Is everything okay, mijo? Why did she leave?” Catalina’s brows draw tight.

Blowing out a breath, I plop down onto a nearby stool and accept the mandoca she holds out for me. Not much I can say. Sky loves what I’m doing here, so much so she kissed me, but other than that, I’m speechless.

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