Page 17 of The Sky Between Us

“I like you,” Sky admitted quietly. I looked at him a little surprised, but before I could give any answer to his statement, Hazel took him from my arms.

“Time to go home,” she said, brushing his messy hair back and planting a small kiss on the top of his head.

One look at her face and I knew she loved the little guy. It was visible through every touch and every look. She was caring and protective with him. I always wondered what it felt like to feel unconditional love for someone. I loved my little sister, but she was a pain in my ass most of the time. We didn’t have as deep of a connection as they did.

“Thank you for playing with me,” Sky said, looking at me and Elliot.

Both of us gave him a high five and with a million questions in mind, I watched them go. My friend gazed at me and arched his brow.

“So, she’s a dancer?” he asked me and I lifted a shoulder. It wasn’t like I knew her biography by heart.

“She was. She stopped a few years ago, not sure why, but she was pretty good from what I can tell. And she still loves it,” I replied with the most information I knew. Elliot stopped and stared at me.

“Five years ago?” he asked again, making me stop mid action as well.

Holy shit. That couldn’t be possible.

I shook my head to ignore this information.

“I don’t think so,” I managed to get out the words, and I could feel my head spinning.

“I’m just saying… you said she loves dance more than anything, yet she gave it up. Think of one valid reason to throw away your dream,” he pushed. “Sky.”

“That’s crazy,” I kept shaking my head. “That’s impossible. Sky is her brother.”

“Not to be a dick, but coach is pretty old to make kids. But think whatever you want.”

And that’s what I did.

The entire drive home, I kept repeating to myself that Sky was Hazel’s younger brother, even if deep down that statement felt like a huge lie. But I wasn’t going down that road. I knew all the reasons pointed at the opposite, but Hazel was complicated already. I didn’t need another thing to add to it. But then again… maybe the reason why she was this complicated was simple. It was because of Sky. She had to seem complicated, distant and cold to keep her secret. I couldn’t imagine how she could have kept that secret to herself all this time, nor how she could sacrifice her dream for that little boy. Being that I came from a solid family, I couldn’t help but wonder where Sky’s father could be. Why did he get a free pass, when she had to suffer the consequences alone? It was clear she wasn’t able to handle it on her own and I wanted to lift some weight off her. I just had no idea how.

Chapter 5

It was nice that Elliot and Aiden played with Sky, but it meant I ended up with two people obsessing over Elliot. At school Sarah wouldn’t shut up about him. She was still too hung up on him to realize they won’t ever turn into a real couple. At home, Sky kept reciting all the amazing things Elliot did in his life. I lost track after the fifth “best pass of the year'' or whatever. I mean, it wasn’t even a goal, just a pass.

Soccer was way too overrated.

“You seem cheerful.” Aiden dropped a box of napkins next to me. “Fill those up?”

“Sure,” I sighed. “Sorry, Sky has been obsessing over Elliot, just like Sarah, and it’s driving me crazy.”

“Okay,” turning away, he resumed unpacking the milk.

I shot him a confused look over my shoulder, but he wasn’t looking at me.

What was up with this guy? All this time I couldn’t get him to stop talking to me and suddenly, he was going radio silent.

Strange.

An unsettling feeling washed over me and I couldn’t believe that now when I finally wanted him to talk to me, he gave up. I knew I wasn’t the nicest person before, but I’ve owed him for playing with Sky. Even if he was late. Nothing could compare to that little boy’s smile when the guys showed up. I could have never made him that happy.

“Why are you so silent?” I spoke up, once I realized throwing daggers at his back didn’t do the trick.

Aiden tensed up; his movement slowed before he completely froze. I could bet he was trying to get his facial expression under control so I couldn’t read him.

He should have known better; I’ve invented that trick.

Reaching out, I placed my hand on his shoulders and stepped next to him, to examine his face.

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