Page 69 of A Sky Full Of Stars

I bite back a groan as my body tenses in frustration. “Heath, there is no one else. I just don’t—”

“It’s fine,” he cuts me off before turning away and huffing like a child.

I blow out a breath and consider pointing out that I’ll never feel that way partly due to his inability to have a proper conversation if it’s not what he wants to hear, but instead, Ileave him to sulk and head to my room, contemplating where we go from here. Knowing, deep down, that moving out is the best answer.

By nine p.m. I’m half-asleep as I read the latest best-selling thriller. While I’d usually be starting work around this time, it’s like my body knows that I’m off tonight and it’s shutting down.

My phone buzzes with a text as I’m getting ready for bed, and I almost ignore it, but when curiosity gets the better of me, I give in and as I read it, I come to a halt.

Unknown: It’s Thomas. I’m in Heartwood. Can I see you?

An overwhelming need wells up inside me, and I have to stop myself from rushing to reply. My heart races as I consider my options. All the logic screams at me to say no. Nothing good can come from us spending time together. And yet, the tightness in my chest at the mere thought of not seeing him again gives me my answer. I want to see him. There’s no use pretending that I don’t.

Heath yells at the TV, drawing my attention, and I cringe. I can’t invite Thomas here, and I can’t meet him anywhere in Heartwood.

I’m stuck until an idea hits me, and I think of the perfect place. A place no one visits anymore according to Luke. A location on the outskirts of town and at the opposite end from the college.

Lainey: I’m free now. Want to meet at the old bowling alley?

My knee bounces as I wait in the shadows of the parking lot, hiding away like I’m some kind of criminal. Which isn’t easy to do since Luke was right; it’s pretty empty for a Friday night.

An old pickup truck pulls in after I’ve been sitting for a few minutes, and Thomas jumps out of the passenger seat, tossing a bottle into a nearby trash can as the truck drives away. Without a care in the world, he walks with purpose toward the graffitied glass doors, like he hasn’t even considered the possibility that he’ll likely be recognized. And maybe that’s true. But I doubt it.

I watch his confident strides in silence, and when he pushes his sleeves up his arm, I’m momentarily stunned still. With my eyes glued to his movements, it takes until he reaches the door before I finally snap out of my daze, calling out for his attention. “Thomas. Over here.”

He spins to look my way, and as soon as our eyes lock, he takes off in a jog, his warm smile making me wish we were in another time, another place, anywhere but the current situation we’re in.

I’ve barely had the chance to fully exit my car when he’s standing in front of me, pulling me into a suffocating hug. A feeling of déjà vu hits, but I can’t dwell on it. I can’t think about what might come next. About the inevitable heartache I’m going to see in his eyes as soon as I’m able to focus on them.

“I’m sorry,” he says with a rasp, his eyes boring into mine, his hands brushing my arms as they fall to his side. “I was an asshole last time I saw you, and even before that, I let you take the blame when I never should have run in the first place, and I’m sorry.”

I pause, my heart racing as I stare into his sincere but glassy eyes. I could push back on him and make him grovel, but I don’t have the energy anymore. Yes, he walked away from me first, but it was a long time ago, and I walked away too. When he needed me the most.

“Apology accepted,” I say, trying to focus on what’s important. He’s been drinking again, and while he doesn’t appear drunk, he’s not completely clearheaded, and one of us needs to be. Now is not the time to rehash the past. I’d much rather focus on what’s right in front of us.

Thomas smiles as he steps out of my personal space, and I swear the air around me cools, sending a shiver down my spine. But it’s his gravelly voice that really gets me. Always has.

“It’s good to see you. I…” He trails off and I’m about to cut in when he releases a long drawn out sigh, throwing his head back to look at the stars. “Uh. It’s been a day…month… year.” His gaze drops to mine again as he runs his fingers through his messy hair, and I’m once again overwhelmed with a fierce need to protect him. “Can we start over?” he asks, his hand settling at the back of his neck. “Pretend I’ve just knocked on your window for the very first time.”

I can’t imagine a scenario where that ever works out—for anyone—but God, it would be nice, and if I’m being honest with myself, it’s exactly what I need to forget. “Is my brother still your teammate in this new reality?”

“Technically not. I play for Seattle.”

The smallest grin tugs at my lips as I shake my head. “That’s a pretty good loophole.”

“I thought so.” His breathtaking smile widens, but there’s something about his stance that has my brows furrowing. He needs this. He’s not just joking around. He needs us to pretend. As do I.

“Guess we have no other option then.” I lie for both our sakes, and the relief in his eyes guts me. We have so many options. Talking things through for one. But for now, what harm could it do?

Thomas smiles again, and I feel a shift in the air as he physically relaxes in front of me.

But then he hits me with the million-dollar question, and I suck in a breath. “So where do we go from here?”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Thomas

Lainey blinks a few times, and while I study the way her wide welcoming eyes make me instantly feel at ease, I pray she has all the answers. Because fuck if I know. I came with the intention to apologize and fix things between us, but when I saw her, half perched in her car, it all turned to shit and I realized I just want a do-over. I want to forget everything that happened between us and start fresh. Just Thomas and Lainey, minus the baggage.

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