Page 68 of When Sky Breaks

“August? You’re scaring me.”

I know what she’s thinking and I give her a smile as I brush away the cookie crumbs from my jeans and shirt. “She had other things to do. I’m good, I promise. Not going down that road anymore.”

“Good. My world is better with you in it.”

As I hear Sky’s car drive away from the house, I know without a doubt, my world is better with her in it. Just wish she felt the same way about me.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

sky

What the hell did I just do?

Gently, I press a finger to my puffy lips once I’ve turned out of Catalina’s neighborhood.

I kissed him. That’s what I did.

My body is such a dirty little traitor. Guilt snakes up my spine. I’ve never had that visceral of a reaction to Johnny. Never wanted to be that close. I hold him at a distance because it’s safer that way, less room for heartache. It’s protective. But the way August makes me feel with just one kiss is explosive. It was all-consuming then and now.

Ugh.

Damn him and his lips.

Damn him and his wind-blown, sun-streaked hair and piercing gray eyes that steal every last of my brain cells.

He always touched my body like he was touching my soul. With care and appreciation, a hunger only he could satisfy.

Damn him and what he’s doing. This project at Catalina’s is huge, and I can’t get the image of that plaque for Chase out of my mind.

Chase’s Place.

The mere idea brings more tears to my eyes.

One less person or child hurting at the hands of someone they love. It’s all anyone could ask for. August and Catalina paved the way for this to happen.

My heart cracks open even more, and I pull over to let my blurry vision clear.

After a few moments, I glance up. I happen to be parked near the cemetery. As if it was meant to be, I turn my car off and get out, my feet carrying me through the iron gate and over to Chase’s grave. There are fresh flowers, the burgundy mums swaying in the gentle breeze, and I wonder if August has been here again.

I sink to the cool ground and close my eyes. “I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to visit you. It hurt thinking about you here all alone, but I should’ve never stayed away. You deserve better than being abandoned.”

As my lips curve upward, I sweep away the curled leaves atop his grave. “But I have some good news. August—yes, the one who’s been leaving you flowers—is working on something amazing. He’s going to help others so they don’t have to live like we did. They don’t have to be so scared in their own homes anymore.”

I’d gladly take the brunt of it again for Chase if I had to. Every bruise and cut and hammer to my soul was mine to take so he’d be spared.

“I miss you,” I say, touching the soft, tight petals of the flowers. “I’m trying to be brave and move on. To be the big sister you can be proud of. But I’m so scared, Chase, because August knows me and my heart better than anyone. Getting close means he has the power to hurt me again.” I draw in a deep breath. “Maybe being scared isn’t always a bad thing? It means I’m still alive, right? Foster would tell me that the best things in life can sometimes scare you. Except swimming with sharks. I refuse to ever do that again. Remind me to tell you that story later.”

The wind swirls my hair around my head as if it’s him responding. I giggle as I wrangle it out of my face.

“Does this mean you give me the okay to work on forgiving August?” I bite at my nails, the cold from the ground seeping into the fabric of my jeans. “He’s really trying, and I can’t deny how alive I get when I’m around him. My skin buzzes, and my heart feels fuller, happier. I know you would’ve loved him,” I whisper.

My face grows numb from the wind, but deep in my soul is a tiny, glowing ember of hope.

My smile remains as I leave the little cemetery and walk back to my car. There’s a lightness in the air, a sign I’m on the right track.

* * *

That smile is steadfast as I pack away leftovers from dinner. I wasn’t supposed to let down my walls so quickly around August, but damn, does he make it so easy. It’s always been effortless with him. Now that I’ve seen the good things he’s doing for so many people, the walls keep crumbling right from under my feet, brick by brick.

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