Page 49 of Brightness

The tension in the air is almost palpable and doesn’t lessen, but we’ve gathered and prepared what we need to take to Whiskey, who will ship it to Trixie’s café.

I box the items up and turn to Dash. “Are we okay? I don’t like this…” I wave my hands around. “Us not talking.”

Dash exhales, puts down his clipboard, and turns to me. “You know what, Ivy… no, we’re not okay.”

My eyes widen as I stand taller. “Okay… talk to me.”

Dash moves in, stepping right into my space, and takes my hand in his. The move shocks me, and my brows scrunch together. “Why him, Ivy? Why Void?”

I jerk my head back. “I… I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”

“Okay, let me rephrase… why not me? We have such good chemistry together.”

I gasp, jerk my hand away from his, and take a step back. “Dash, no… we’re friends—”

Dash is quick to step into my space again, cutting me off, and now the desperation is clear in his eyes. “But we don’t have to be. Please, Ivy, don’t you feel this?” He grabs my hand and places it over his chest.

Tears well in my eyes while my bottom lip trembles.

I shake my head. “It’s him, Dash. It’s always been him.”

His face pales, and his breathing shallows. He drops my hand from his chest, and I back away again. “I… I’m sorry. I’m still your friend. I’ll always be your friend. But that’s all we will ever be.”

Dash turns, his shoulders slumping as he lets out a heavy breath. Then he simply walks away, leaving me in the lab to deal with his revelation.

Now I have to try to figure out whether I tell Void, or just let this—whatever the hell that was—fizzle out on its own.

The Next Day

Eva’s gone all out.

The decorations are entirely over the top. From what I’ve read about Labor Day, it isn’t even a big holiday here—people mainly just enjoy the long weekend—so why we’re celebrating it, I don’t know. Still, if there’s one thing I know about Eva, it’s that she won’t just throw a party, she’ll tiro la casa por la ventana.

The Miami brothers are here, causing a ruckus. I wanted to stay downstairs, but Void told me it could be seen as rude, and we should stay upstairs until we have at least eaten. Then I can go back to my cell and be the recluse I enjoy. Plus, I’m trying to avoid Dash, but no one else knows that.

Hawk, Doom, and Nycto are playing pool. Don’t even ask me how three men can play pool, I have no fricking clue how that works. Stella, Eva, and our club girls are hanging out around the kitchen as the music blasts loudly through the main bunker.

I stand back, people watching and sipping on a Cuba Libre. Stacey makes them so freaking good, I can’t stop at one.

Still, more than anything, I really want to go for a ride. Let my hair down, open the throttle, be one with the open road. I have an itch. I need Void to teach me. I’m dying for it.

He notices me from across the room, his posture changing as he does. His muscles relax, and his face softens as he turns to walk over to me. “What are you doing standing over here by yourself? You should be out there enjoying the party.”

“Yes, Labor Day. It isn’t even something you celebrate massively, is it?”

He chuckles. “What’s got you all tied in knots?”

My eyes meet his. Dash told me he has feelings for me. The feelings inside me, the churning discomfort… esto no tiene nombre. Instead, I say, “I want to learn to ride.”

His lips turn up, and his eyes sparkle. “You’ve caught it.”

“Huh?”

“The bug. The need to ride. To feel the adrenaline coursing through your veins. C’mon.” He grabs my drink and places it on a nearby table, then takes my hand, leading me outside.

“Where are we—”

“You wanna learn to ride, you’re gonna learn to ride.”

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