Page 81 of A Sky Full Of Stars

When I hang up, I feel worse than I did before the call. Jace is usually the one person who can lift me up, but he also triesnotto bring up my past, or the parts of it he knows—something he failed to do today.

After making myself an herbal tea, I grab my book and curl up on the couch, content to disappear into another world. To escape my life for a second. To disappear.

I’m an hour in, and I’ve just hit a particularly suspenseful moment when Thomas texts, making me completely abandon what would usually keep me hooked.

Thomas: Lainey. Lainey. My dear Lainey. What are you up to?

I smile at his attempt to be funny until I remember how shitty he must be feeling. Not that I want to directly ask him because there is a good chance he won’t respond.

Lainey: I’ve got my feet up and I’m reading a book.

Thomas: One of those sexy books or are you more of a nonfiction reader? We never did establish that.

Lainey: A sexy one.

I laugh as I type, completely messing with him. It’s actually one of those keeps-you-up-at-night-until-you-know-the-ending types of books. But the last book I read was exactly what he’s alluding to, so I go with that one for fun.

Lainey: He’s a billionaire and he just hired his future love interest as his assistant.

Who doesn’t love a billionaireromance?

Thomas: I like it, tell me more.

I laugh even harder and glance over to the abandoned book on my nightstand, my eyes lingering on the half-naked man on the cover, his open shirt and rolled-up sleeves revealing his perfect abs and ripped arms. He’s absolutely drool worthy, and yet, he has nothing on the guy currently texting me.

Lainey: They knew each other when they were young, and…

Thomas: Leaving me in suspense?

Thomas: Actually, I’m calling you. I NEED to hear your voice

What?Bad idea.

Lainey: …

Thomas: Before you say no… PLEASE

My breath hitches as the phone rings, and I have to fight to control my breathing. I can’t fall for him again because whatI needis to leave this place. I need to disappear for a while.

“Hi,” I say finally on the last ring as a cacophony of noise hits my ears.Is he out?

“Hi. Sorry, one sec.” A door slams and the noise softens. “Sorry, I should have waited until I reached the balcony before calling you. How are you?”

I push my feelings away, knowing now that he’s probably been drinking like every other time he’s called and asked to see me. But, it’s not the time to dwell on it. I want to make sure he’s okay.

“I’m good. More importantly, how are you?”

“I’m great. I’m on top of the world. I’m—”

“Thomas,” I interrupt, ready to call him out, but he cuts in first, releasing a long sigh.

“That was brutal, Lainey. I was really hoping you hadn’t watched it. And I don’t want to talk about it.”

“You really should—”

“Please. Not tonight. Just like everything else going wrong in my life… right now, I need to forget it. And you’re going to help me.”

“Oh yeah, and how am I going to do that?”

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