Page 103 of A Sky Full Of Stars

“Why are you so invested in this? And don’t tell me it’s because you have a thing for Thomas because that was back then and this is now. It’s different. When you talk about him now, you don’t have the usual giddy air about you. You talk about his pain and the way he’s helping distract you from yours. That doesn’t sound healthy, Lainey. I’m worried.”

“I love you, Jace, but you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t I?”

“No.” I laugh. “It’s not like that at all.”There’s more to it.

“Do you love him?”

“What?”

“Simple question, Lainey. Do youlovehim?”

The answer hits me instantly, and yet, it doesn’t, because I’ve loved him for years, but it feels different now. Still, the simple answer is… “Yes,” I whisper.

“And does he love you?”

I fall silent. I can’t answer that. He could still be out there sleeping around, but deep down, I don’t think he is.

“Want my two cents?” Jace cuts in when I don’t say anything. “I think there’s a good chance he does, but I’m not sure it’s for the right reasons, and I don’t know if your feelings for him are right either. Maybe you need some time apart.”

“We’ll have plenty of time apart soon enough. I’m leaving, remember?”

As I say that, my stomach twists in knots, made worse by Jace’s response.

“Good. I think that’s the best thing for both of you.”

I’m not at all convinced that’s true, but I don’t tell Jace that. And when he hangs up, I curse myself for telling him anything about Thomas. He doesn’t get it. No one does. Except us. And I kind of like it that way.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Thomas

With more time on my hands than I know what to do with, the empty feeling in my chest becomes more like a dark void. But lucky for me, I have a beacon of light keeping me from completely disappearing. And she’s currently tucked under my arm, staring at the sky.

“Okay. I’ve got another one,” Lainey says, patting my stomach to get my attention, like she doesn’t have it just by breathing.

“I’m listening.”

“Would you rather sing a famous song on live television…”

“Or…” I chuckle to myself.

We’ve been playing this game for the last hour, parked in the middle of nowhere, lying on the hood of my rental, listening to the sounds of nature surrounding us.

For the last few weeks, I’ve been traveling back to Heartwood as often as I can, which is a lot more than usual, since it’s the offseason and I have the time. Yet, I haven’t seen Summeronce. Not for lack of trying.

I haven’t asked Lainey if they caught up because I’d rather not know, and thankfully she hasn’t mentioned it, doing exactly as I asked.

“Or…” Lainey continues, her eyes cast toward the tree tops. “Never listen to music again?”

“What?” I turn to face her. “That’s tough. On one hand, I love music, but on the other… You’re the only one that’s really heard me sing, and apparently, I never get the words right, so…”

“It would be very embarrassing for you. I agree.” She smirks but still doesn’t meet my gaze.

“I never said that.”

“You didn’t have to. I’m picturing it.”

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