Page 31 of A Sinner's Saint

Cammi covers herself and then slides under the blankets. I slip out of my shoes, standing in just my jeans before hopping on next to her.

“I want you to hold me and I want you to sleep,” she says.

“You want to sleep?” I ask, pulling her against me.

Cammi rests her head on my shoulder. “I want you to sleep, so that’s what we’re doing. Sleeping.” She tilts her head up so that her eyes connect with mine.

My fingers brush the stray strands of hair away from her face. I’m overwhelmed with emotion. She knows that I sleep better when she’s next to me. And here she is, offering to just stay and bed so I can sleep.

“I love you.” My words are whispered and I think they shock both of us.

Cammi blinks her eyes a few times and then she smiles. “Oh, thank god. I love you too. I wanted to tell you before, but I didn’t want to seem crazy,” she says.

“Why the fuck would you think you’d come across as crazy to me?” I ask her.

“Because of this. You and me. It’s a lot and it’s fast. But I just… I don’t know. I feel it, though, so deep. It’s like you’re in my blood. Your soul and mine are linked,” she tells me.

“You don’t want to be linked to my soul, babe. It’s not going anywhere good. And you? You’re a saint. You belong up, not down.”

“I belong wherever you are, Vin. I don’t care where that is.” She snuggles into my chest.

I close my eyes and inhale her scent. I can feel sleep wanting to take hold already.

Chapter Fourteen

It’s almost spring break, our last lot of school holidays before we’re done with high school. I got a letter yesterday afternoon with my early acceptance into the University of Sydney. Over the past few weeks, I haven’t thought much about uni. I’ve been so caught up in Vin and spending as much time as possible with him that everything else has taken a back seat.

Getting that envelope yesterday was like having a cold bucket of water tipped over my head. My parents were thrilled, of course they were, and I did my best to fake my excitement. When Vin snuck into my bedroom last night, I didn’t tell him about the acceptance letter.

We haven’t really talked about next year. I have no idea what his plans are for university. I know his brother goes to Melbourne Uni. I assume Vin will go there too. I had my heart set on moving to Sydney, attending university there. They have a great architecture program. I’ve been planning to study architecture for as long as I can remember. I can’t see myself leaving Vin, which I know is stupid. I can’t make life-altering decisions based around a guy.

I shouldn’t…

It’s not too late, though. I could apply to Melbourne. I could stay here. I wouldn’t have to leave Vin. I would still graduate with the degree I want. Sometimes I wish I could press fast-forward on this part of my life, get to the part where I’m done with school, where I’m an adult, living with a husband who I’m madly in love with. We’d have a puppy. I want to start that part of my life.

All of this lead-up to getting there seems pointless at times, especially when I already know the future I want. Who I want that future to be with. I need to talk to Vin about this. I feel like we should make this decision together. What if he’s not even planning on going to university? He could come to Sydney with me.

“There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” Vin appears at my locker right as I close it.

“You just left my side five minutes ago.” I laugh.

“Five minutes too long, if you ask me.” He smirks.

“What are your thoughts on ditching school today?”

“Are you feeling okay? What’s wrong?” He scans my body, not once but twice, looking for only God knows what.

“I’m just not feeling it today. That’s all. But it’s fine. Let’s go to class.” I hoist my bag up onto my shoulder.

Vin reaches out and takes it. “I know where we can go. Come on, let’s be rebellious.”

I offer him my palm. “Vin, hold my hand,” I tell him, and he does. “Now get me out of this place, please.”

Once we’re enclosed in his car, Vin’s fingers tap the steering wheel. I have no idea where he’s taking me. And, honestly, I don’t think I care. I just needed to get away. My mind is whirling with how to bring up the acceptance letter.

“Okay, spit it out.” Vin says.

“Spit what out?”

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