Page 177 of Collided

Is this it?

This is it.

I stare at him, begging him to not ask me what I know he’s going to ask.

I want to look away from him, I really do. But something in his gaze keeps me tied to him.

You don’t ask for hugs. You take them.

Moving forward, I wrap my arms around his neck and bury my face in his neck. Tears pour down from my eyes as my heart breaks into pieces in silence. The destruction makes no noise, yet it brings about pain.

I’m so scared. So helpless. I don’t know what to do or where to go. I feel stuck. Like time has frozen me in place. I can’t escape, I can’t hide, I can’t leave.I can’t do anything.

I snuggle against him, seeking refuge in his arms, because at the moment he seems like the only place I can unburden myself.

Heath wraps his arm around my waist and with the other, he holds the back of my head. His fingers tangle into my hair and reach my scalp. With tenderness, he kneads and squeezes me against him in a tight grip.

We’re so close I can feel his strong heartbeats thumping against mine.

“You’re always stealing hugs from me,” he whispers against my ear.

“Do you mind?”

“Fuck no.”

Heath holds me as I silently cry in his arms. He doesn’t ask questions or push me away.

Last time I couldn’t wait to get away from him when he cornered me in the classroom and today I’m pressed against him and feel the safest I’ve ever had.

It’s strange that I feel like this with him. A guy like him should make me stay away from him, but I can’t.

The night Dad choked Mom, I promised myself I wouldn’t let myself develop feelings for a guy. I would keep my distance andnever let myself fall in love or catch feelings. I promised myself over and over that night as I lay in bed shivering and crying.

I guess it’s too late now.

I have feelings for Heath.

Shakily, I pull back from him and almost crumple by his intense stare.

Before I can, he wipes away my tears and cheeks, removing any trace of sadness.

“You shouldn’t cry.”

“Why not?”

“You look awful when you cry.”

I laugh.

If there’s anything I’ve learned about Heath, he’s rough around the edges, but within that boundary lies a good heart that he doesn’t let anyone see.

I see my bracelet around his wrist and butterflies soar in my stomach. It looks like he hasn’t taken it off since I put it on him.

Heath follows my gaze. His expression turns serious, and he clears his throat. “I…on my birthday…we…”

I grin.

It’s funny how confident and sure he acts, but now he can’t seem to get the words out of him.

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