Page 27 of A Sky Full Of Stars

My heart sinks when he disappears, but I don’t get time to dwell on it with only three seconds before Luke’s invasion, and maybe that’s a good thing. Because while Thomas’s visits always lift me up, every time he leaves, I fall even further.

Chapter Nine

Lainey

Summertime arrives, and we head to our vacation home by the lake, like we’ve been doing since we were kids. I continue to dance every day, but I don’t feel as connected to my movements as I used to, and it’s breaking my heart.

On our drive here, I told myself I’d use this vacation as a detox of sorts, a way to separate myself from my feelings for Thomas. I love our friendship, and I want to be able to move forward without feeling like I’m constantly lying to him. Without risking that friendship by keeping my crush a secret.

I want it gone. And what better way to do that than no contact for almost two months.

“Are you coming for a swim?” my little brother, Ryan, routinely asks every time he walks past my room, today no different.

I’m wearing my ballet shoes and standing in front of the mirror in fourth position, yet when I glance his way with a raised eyebrow, he shrugs. “Well? Are you?”

I huff out a laugh and spin around, ready to give him a smart-ass response, when I pause.Why don’t I go?I always say no, but it’s summer. It’s hot. And I’ve got plenty of time to dance.

“You know what, Ryan? I am. Will you waitso I know the way?”

My response doesn’t faze him in the slightest. Instead, he grunts in a “whatever” kind of way. “Sure. I’ll be in the kitchen,” he says before walking off, making me laugh as he disappears down the hall.

I can always rely on Ryan to be blasé about almost every situation. When he’s out of sight, I stare at myself in the mirror before searching my bag for my one-piece suit. We come here every year, and yet, I probably only swim once every two years. I tend to spend my time dancing or with my mom—shopping, getting our nails done—doing the things she likes to do on vacation.

Now, all that time feels like it was for nothing. I didn’t get in. I failed at the one goal I’d always been working toward. It’s time I started living a little.

We weave through the trees on our way to the dock, and it’s nothing like I remember. My family’s land reaches the water, but because it doesn’t have a beach, my grandfather built a large dock when my dad was young, giving them somewhere to sit other than the rough brush that borders the lake.

When we arrive, I expect to find Luke with some girl, and I’m right, but what I don’t expect is another ten kids gathered on the dock…and a boat moored to the end.

“Um. Who are they?” I whisper to Ryan as we approach, my gut twisted in apprehension.

I’m not antisocial by any means, but I don’t generally hang out with random people, or make new friends—Thomas beingthe exception. I’m not even sure I know how to make new friends. But since I’m here now, I’m about to find out.

“What do you mean?” Ryan asks, his face comically confused, making me laugh.

“What do you mean, what do I mean?”

“Lainey, that’s Jace, Sia, and Beth, and the other kids are their cousins.”

What?My jaw drops but I push it back up before Ryan notices. I used to run around with Jace and Sia when I was younger, but it’s been so long since I’ve seen them.

“Have they been coming every year?”

“Of course, same as us.”Jesus. So, I’ve basically been ghosting them since I was ten.

“Okay.”

Ryan laughs. “Relax, Sis, it’s going to be fine,” he says and I pray that he’s right.

Taking a deep breath, I step onto the wooden slats of the dock, and it’s like someone hit pause on the scene in front of me. Everyone stops what they were doing and stares in my direction. Silent. My cheeks heat, but I manage to smile through the weirdness and even offer a wave while Ryan laughs beside me, doing nothing to help.

Finally, after God knows how long, Jace steps forward. “If it isn’t Twinkle Toes.” He smiles, making me regret my decision to come here. “God, it’s been too long.” He runs forward and lifts me into his arms before spinning me around. “It’s so good to see you.”

My nerves don’t dissipate, but they morph into something else. Something more like giddiness. It’s been six years since I’ve seen Jace and his sisters, six years since I’ve made the effort to spend time with them, and he still greets me like we’re family.

“It’s wonderful to see you too, Jace. I’m sorry—”

“Nope,” he cuts me off. “You don’t have to be sorry. Luke filled us in on where you’ve been.”

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