Page 22 of Mended Hearts

“Did you know that Orion’s Belt is also called Three Kings?” he asks, rolling the sticky putty into a ball before squishing it to the back of the piece he’s holding.

“Yes, and it’s an asterism or a pattern of stars in the constellation Orion.” I’ve always had an unnatural love for astronomy. It’s so hard for me to grasp how vast and beautiful the universe is. I can’t understand how some people don’t believe there’s a God who created it all.

“For some reason, I always thought Orion’s Belt was the actual constellation. I never knew it was basically just a cluster of stars within one,” Dustin admits with a sense of astonishment. I stretch as far as I can without falling over. I hear him slightly snicker. He knows better than to offer to do it for my stubborn self.

“I think most people assume that.” I grunt from the unsuccessful stretch, then begin bouncing, determined to get the last piece up. Five jumps up and I nail it, hearing a sharp snap when I land. “Whoa!” I shriek as we both start to wobble as my bed buckles beneath us.

We collapse together onto the plush mattress as the foot of my bed crumbles to the ground, leaving it at a slant. My body starts shaking with laughter. Dustin lets out a laugh as well and I can’t help but take in how amazing it feels to just…be ourselves. It makes me wonder how amazing this could be if it was allowed to blossom on its own instead of being snuffed out like a controlled fire that’s run its course. I don’t know when I’ll have another moment like this with him. I don’t want to waste the few and far between times we are able to sneak in.

I roll on top of Dustin, and his laugh instantly fades, replaced with something else. I watch as his eyes turn from bright with amusement to dark with desire. He feels it, too. I push one hand through his hair as the fingertips from my other trace over his facial features, wanting to embed every inch of him into my memory.

His hands move to my back, rubbing them up and down in a reassuring way. I can feel his slight hesitation as if he’s holdingback. I understand it because I feel the same, but I also don’t want the opportunity to slide through my fingertips.

“I love you, Dustin. I’m not sure of a lot of things in my life, but my love for you is certain.” I hold his gaze, feeling the same amazement I do about the stars.

“God, I love you,” he whispers, swallowing hard. His fingers graze my cheek before tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. I watch the movement of his hand and see a glimpse of all the emotion he’s trying to avert.

I grasp his face between my hands, causing his arms to tighten their grip around me. Bending down to his ear, I let my words dance across his skin. “Please don’t hide your feelings from me. I want you to feel everything with me. I want to be your first and your last.” I keep my lips pressed against his skin, wrapping my arms underneath his neck, fully embracing him. I never want to let him go.

“Are you sure?” He pants as if he’s been holding his breath for an eternity.

I even my face with his, desperate for him to see how I feel. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.” His hands lock onto my hips, holding me tightly against him.

The front door shuts and we freeze momentarily. Then panic sets in and I swing myself off him, almost rolling off the broken bed. Dustin grabs me in the nick of time, keeping me from falling to the floor with a thud. I muster up a small smile as a thanks offering. I hear the keys hit the entryway table and my mom begins hollering my name.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Like a ninja, Dustin flips over and scales the incline of my bed. Careful not to break it further. With swift precision, he lifts the window and slides out with it half open. I climb up my bed and give him a quick peck before he turns to his escape route.Quietly, I push the window back down into place and yank my curtains shut right as my bedroom door swings open.

I flip around breathlessly as if I’ve been caught red-handed.

“What in God’s name happened in here?” my mom questions, eyeing my broken bed. “And why do you seem out of breath?”

My dad walks in behind her, closing the distance between them. His eyes go wide as they inspect my room, narrowing as he sets his gaze on me. When he doesn’t give me his own set of questions, I answer the ones my mom asked.

“Well,” I start, letting out a nervous laugh. “I was putting up my constellation.” I glance up, pointing to the ceiling. Their eyes follow mine. “And my bed kind of gave out beneath me.”

While my mom’s stance eases as her shoulders drop, believing my story, my dad’s posture remains stiff. “Why does your curtain look out of place?” He eyes Dustin’s escape route.

“Wellllll,” I say again, letting it drag out longer this time. “I’m sure my flailing arms caught it as my bed broke.” I want to sneer, shake my head, and say,Duh, but I also want him to believe me. I mean, ninety-five percent of the story is true.

His eyes stay affixed five beats longer than they should on my window while he plays out what I just said, seeing if there’re any holes in my story. He doesn’t say anything before turning away and walking out of my room.

Love you, too, Dad.

My mom walks over to me, assessing the damage. “The bed was kind of old.” She shrugs. “But doesn’t mean you should’ve been jumping on it. You’re not a kid anymore.” Her brow rises, and the corner of her lip pulls upward into a slight smile.

I let out a heavy sigh. “I’m still a kid at heart, Mom.” I smile, finally letting my body relax.

“Yes, I know.” She bends down and places a kiss on my forehead. “I hope you know how much I love you.” I think I do.

“Love you, Mom.”

My mom turns and walks out of my room, closing the door behind her. I can’t help but have a dreadful sense that I won’t be left at home alone anymore.

Chapter Fourteen

DUSTIN

---