Page 68 of The Moment Promised

“Yeah!” I take a step forward, but Finn pulls me two steps back.

“Are you crazy? I have to make sure it can withholdmyweight.” Finn steps to the ledge, letting the lady get him ready. He stiffens more and more the longer she messes with his harness, double checking per his request. “Tell my family I love them,” he says with a salute.

I shake my head in disbelief. And he saysI’mdramatic. “What about me? Don’t you love me?” I tease.

“The most,” he says, and then he’s off, zipping through the sky.

I try to laugh at his high-pitched scream but I keep replaying two words in my head.The most.I think those might be the vaguest words known to mankind.

“Something tells me he’s not much of the adventuring kind.” The lady gets my harness ready with a smile painting her face. I don’t mind, I can talk about Finn all day, every day.

“If it were up to Finn, he’d be in bed with me right now.” Wow that came outsowrong. “Cuddling,” I add, but it sounds like a pathetic lie, and the guide’s eyes light up in amusement.

“I’ll see you on the other side,” she says.

The air leaves my lungs as I fly through the mountains. My cheeks fill with air, I no doubt look like a cartoon character. My laughs echo through the forest, for only me to hear. I try to absorb the moment promised—the trees come and disappear all too fast, the rush of adrenaline filling the dull parts of my soul—but before I know it, a tiny platform comes into view.

When my feet touch the wood, Finn pulls me into a very public display of affection. He kisses me like we’ve been apart for ages. I deepen our kiss and let his tongue sweep over mine. It leaves me breathless.

I forget about our audience, until I hear Chloe’s whistling.

Finn ignores her, continuing to knock me off my feet, but I’m not about PDA. I pull away, licking my lips, but still trying to savor every last bit of him while I can.

17

FIVE YEARS AGO

Ihate throwing up. I grip the toilet seat while I profusely vomit last night’s dinner.

It feels like minutes go by, but it’s probably only seconds when I finally stop. I kneel on the cold bathroom floor. My throat burns, my hands shake, and tears stream down my face. It’s four in the morning, and my stomach has been cramping all night.

I stand up and tiny dots interrupt my vision, I grab ahold of the sink and stare into the mirror. My under eyes sink in, casting a purple shadow beneath my brown irises. I brush my teeth and drag myself back in bed.

Luckily, it’s Memorial Day weekend so I don’t have to worry about going to school tomorrow.

That’s something at least.

My abdomen cramps, and my stomach feels sour. My muscles burn with every movement. Finally, I settle and stare at my bedroom walls.

Finn’s going to be so upset. I’m supposed to go with him on his family’s boat tomorrow to spend the day at the sandbar. He says when I don’t come, it’s boring. But with the way my stomach feels, and my body hurts, I don’t think I will be recovered within the next six hours.

My eyes eventually fall heavy, as the first light of dawn peers through my blinds.

“I really don’t care if you think she’s fine, I’m checking on her,” a muffled voice wakes me up. It starts to get closer. “She was supposed to be at my house six hours ago, I’m worried, and maybe you should be too.”

My door creeks open, my eyes travel from the hot pink walls onto a fifteen-year-old boy.

Myfifteen-year-old best friend, Finn.

“She’s fine, damnit. Get the fuck out of my daughter’s room!” Jason yells.

“Look at her!” Finn points a hand in my direction. He glances at my clock. “It’s ten past four and she’s still in bed. The room smells like vomit.”

Does it? I cringe.

My dad comes into view behind Finn. Their energies completely contrast one another. When Finn walks into a room, the air feels happier. Warmer. He’s the sun.

When my dad walks into a room, everyone’s pulse increases. His mere presence is the definition of unease. Until he speaks, his voice is what makes him a storm.

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