Page 142 of Collided

The warmth of his skin and the feel of his big hand are all I can focus on. I feel his rough calluses from fighting and working out. I also feel his thumb running back and forth on the back of my hand in assurance.

It probably means nothing, he’s being considerate, but still, my mind decides that he’s doing it because he cares about me.

“Here you are.” Marie advances for a hug the second she sees us. When her arms wrap around my body, Heath lets go of my hand.

I twitch my hand, missing the heat and safety it provided me.

A single touch shouldn’t be able to affect me this much, but it’s Heath we’re talking about. He’s affected me since day one. There’s just something about him that makes me feel like characters do when they catch feelings for their love interest.

I know it so well, after all, I’ve read so many romance books. When it comes to myself I become as clueless as a non-reader which is a shame.

If only I could read his thoughts and understand him. It’d make it so easy for me to listen to the words he doesn’t say or read the words that hide behind his eyes.

I decide I will understand him.

I want to.

Like he understands me.

“It’ll be fun,” Marie squeals. “Let’s go and play.”

I’ve never been anywhere except for school and the library. My whole life only orbits around those two places and nowhere else. Now being able to hang out with these three people, I feel like I’ve missed out on so much in life. I might as well be the last one in the race while everyone else is so far ahead of me.

Truth is, that distance has never bothered me. Books took me to places, and I lived voraciously through them like I was the main character. I’ve been to countries, cities, towns, and places all the while sitting on my bed and reading the words.Words. I know how powerful they are—they can fly you anywhere in the worldorother worlds like a ride on a magic carpet. You get to see everything and experience every adventure and feel emotions that you’ve never even thought about.

I do feel bad about not living enough like others have, but I’ve also lived in ways that they haven’t. I suppose that counts for something.

I check the time on my phone. 6:15 p.m.

Marie and Sebastian hurry to the counter to pay, leaving Heath and me behind like they normally do. I notice how they’re always trying to bring us closer which works every time. Like right now.

Heath stands beside me with a brooding face. His blue eyes look cold as they lock on me.

“You okay?” he asks.

“Yes, I’m fine.” I shoot him an assuring smile, despite the turmoil swirling inside of me.

I’m worried about what will happen to me once I get home.

Heath stares at me as if he can read my mind. I quickly look away.

“What book are you on?”

I smile. Books are my favorite thing in the world, and he knows that.

“Book four.”

“And are you enjoying it?” Heath leans against the wall and folds his arms. The black material of his T-shirt stretches across his arms and chest. I miss his question. All my attention seems to move over his fit, lean body.

Tilting his head to one side, he says, “You’re giving me that look again?”

“Huh?” I look at him, feeling my mouth dry.

Oh my. I was drooling over him. What is wrong with me?

“The look,” he states in a gravelly voice that I feel deep in my stomach.

“What look?” I frown.

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