Page 61 of A Sky Full Of Stars

Thomas cups my shoulder and his thumb rubs over my collar bone—just like Heath has always done—unknowingly ruining the moment, making me spring back as though I’ve been zapped by an electric current. “Shit.”

In his drunken haze, it takes Thomas a second to get his bearings and then his eyes widen. “Fuck, Lainey. I’m s—”

“Don’t tell me you’re sorry, and don’t tell me you regret it. You did nothing wrong. I just can’t.”

And while I should care about Heath, it actually has nothing to do with him, and everything to do with the way I feel. Even if Heath wasn’t in the picture, I still shouldn’t be kissing Thomas. Not like this.

I jump up and dust myself off before attempting to pull Thomas to his feet. “Thomas, I’m here for you in any way you need me…except that.”

Heath and I work because there is no risk of me falling in love with him. I can’t say the same for Thomas, and it’s not fair to either of us.

Thomas stares at me for a few seconds until I see the moment he pulls back, preparing me for what’s next. Only I never could have predicted what comes out of his mouth. “I don’tneedanything else,Lainey. I’ll see you later.”

He picks up the metal rod and walks away, leaving me confused as I watch him, my eyes following his every move until he reaches the door. And it’s not until he disappears through the threshold that I understand his meaning.

He wants nothing more than sex. Even with me.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Lainey

After a restless night’s sleep, I drive back to the Ball House under the guise that I lost my phone, hoping I’ll run into Thomas so I can check up on him. Despite his parting words, or maybe because of them, I can’t leave things the way we did. He’s hurting, he’s punishing himself because of that hurt, and I can’t knowingly let that happen.

When I pull up, the first thing I notice is Thomas’s truck. He still drives the same Ford he had when we were younger, and I’m hit with a feeling of nostalgia that I didn’t get last night. Probably because I was too busy focused on Thomas rather than the target facing the brunt of his anger. Now, while it’s hard to miss the damage, it still feels so familiar to me. And I never even sat in it.

As my gaze bounces around the truck, the sun sparkles against the broken glass scattered across the sidewalk, bringing an image of a devastated Thomas to mind while my heart races. The damage to the truck is nothing compared to the damage to his soul and the further damage he’s trying to inflict.

Picking up the pace, I’ve barely knocked on the door when Luke answers, looking like hell. “Small Fry,” he croaks out with a smile. “Good to see you, but do youhave to be so loud?”

My knock was quieter than his words, but I let it go. “Good to see you too.” I’m surprised he’s up, but I’d much prefer he answered than one of his teammates. “Can I come in?”

“Of course. Always. Is everything okay?”

No. Nothing is okay.“Everything’s fine. I forgot my phone. How are you feeling?”

Luke puts on a comical smile as he leans against the wall, his head lolling toward the plaster. “I’m peachy. It’s nothing a good weight session won’t fix.” He cringes and while I’d love to feel sorry for him, it’s all self-inflicted. Thomas, on the other hand, has his reasons.

“It’s actually good that you’re here,” Luke says as we walk, his signature “I’m about to ask a huge favor” smile locked firmly in place. “Can you take my friend to the airport?”

I groan until I realize who he’s referring to. “You mean Thomas?” I ask, subtly searching the room.

“I do…” He looks at me suspiciously while I roll my eyes.

“I was here last night, remember? He’s the only one at your party that lives in another state.”Plus he can’t exactly drive his truck.

“Valid point. So can you do it?”

Yes. “Ugh. What do I get in return?”

“My everlasting love?” I stare at him deadpan. “Okay, and you can borrow my truck for a week.”

“Make it a month and you’ve got a deal.” His truck is so much nicer than my car, but we both know I won’t hold him to it. “It was never supposed to be a party, remember?”

Luke groans but agrees, shaking my hand. “Deal.”

Following him to the kitchen, I sink down onto a stool and rest my chin on my arms, waiting patiently as he tries to prepare food, grunting and groaning periodically. My eyes follow him around the room, but while I’m physically present,my mind is on other things. On Thomas. On what kind of state I’m going to find him in.

Twenty minutes later, I get my answer as Thomas surfaces, stumbling into the room, completely ignoring me as he grabs a beer from the fridge. I’m about to clear my throat and remind him that it’s nine a.m. when Luke jumps up on the counter beside him and holds out his fist for a bump.

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