Page 16 of No First Kisses

I don’t realize that I’m rubbing it absently until she mentions it. “I don’t know,” I admit. “I think it’s just stress, but it’s been aching all day.” After being shot and almost dying, I still have residual pain that comes and goes. And sometimes, it hurts out of nowhere. But today it’s been worse than usual.

“Better call your doctor when we get back.” Her eyes flare, and then she smiles again. “Just to be safe. You never know what the issue could be.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Are you okay?”

I freeze, surprised to hear him right behind me, even though I’ve seen him watching me all day. When I don’t answer him, Logan reaches out and touches my shoulder. “Poppy. Are you okay?”

Glancing over my shoulder, I do my best to keep any emotion out of my eyes, but I’ve been drinking so I’m not quite sure if I manage to do it. “Fine,” I bite out. Then before I can change my mind and say another word, I walk away.

Bag after bag, my dad and I play against Evie and Finn. Thankfully, Finn and my dad are standing next to the other board, and Evie and I are together.

Every time I look around, I see Logan’s eyes locked on me, and I do my damnedest not to stare at him, but I’m pathetic. I watch him almost as much as he watches me, only looking away to make sure that I’m doing my best not to lose the game.

And when I throw the winning bag straight into the hole on our cornhole board, I see the smile on Logan’s face. One that reaches his eyes.

Why is it so hard for me to ignore him?

You don’t want to ignore him, Poppy.

“Logan.” I watch as his eyes fly to mine in shock, and then he’s there at my side. With both families watching, I feel like I shouldn’t have opened my mouth, but I did. “You’re right. We should talk. After.”

I don’t know what he wanted to talk about. Don’t know if he’s wanting to finally walk away completely. Or if he wants to try and convince me not to move away from Birch Harbor. Whatever it is, this is one situation where I can make it better by not fighting with myself.

After the promise of a rematch, I wave off Evie’s attempt to switch partners and start toward my tent, which I watched Logan and Finn put together earlier.

Right now, I just want to rest for a little bit before dinner and s’mores and the craziness I know the other ‘kids’ are going to want to get up to tonight.

I’m almost there when something in my chest seizes and convulses, bringing me to my knees with the sudden force.

“Holy shit,” I gasp through the pain of what feels like my heart actually skipping a beat.

With fear-filled eyes, I fall the rest of the way to the ground and struggle to breathe through the needles stabbing into my skin.

I can’t. Gasping and swallowing doesn’t do anything.

I’m in trouble, and I can’t even call for help.

“Poppy?” Logan is there, his face right above me. “Poppy, look at me. Tell me what’s wrong.” His hands are cradling me, holding me gently by the neck.

Opening my mouth, I can’t force words out. I can’t even inhale, something I need desperately to do.

I feel the heat rise into my face and claw at my chest, silently praying that I can inhale.

That I can catch my breath.

My heart thuds painfully, and there are spots lining my vision.

So many seconds pass that I’m sure I’m hallucinating.

My mouth is opening and closing, but I can’t pull a breath into my lungs.

Logan opens his mouth, but I can’t hear his words over my blood pounding through my veins.

When his lips meet mine, I think I’m dead.

Until he starts to breathe for me.

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