Page 34 of Crash into me

I stare at my reflection, at the red lips and sparkling neck. I can’t do this. I can’t lead a life that wasn’t meant for me.

A small rock tings against the window and I still. No, no, no.

My body tenses, a reaction to Warren that I was hoping would never happen. He found me too quickly.

But, it’s not Warren pacing the ground.

I look out, watching as my Romeo walks back and forth.

15

Luckily, there isn’t activity at my wing of the house. The party is happening in the garden, which is directly in the middle of the backyard. But still, Foster doesn’t know how much it hurts me to see him.

Against my better judgement, I flip the latch to the unlock position and when he reaches my windowsill, he looks all kinds of broken. “I know you don’t remember, Freckles, but I’m fucking falling apart without you.”

Same, Foster, same.

His hand lingers on top of mine, his warmth radiating through me from the quick, simple touch. I pull away like the embers burn me, as if his touch is like a dragon’s flame that the princess screams to get away from. “I don’t—”

He staggers for a moment as he takes me in, the long red dress that sweeps the ground and shimmering jewels. “Holy fuck.” He breathes, not seeing the glaze of fear and tears in my eyes. “You look stunning, Sky.” I want to throw myself into him.

I want him to climb through the window, but he doesn’t. He keeps his feet planted on the lattice and his hands on the seal, he’s worried if he comes in, I’ll run away. He’s respecting the privacy rules I made up.

“I …” I stutter, unable to find the words.

“I wanted to show you something.” He pulls down the collar of his shirt showcasing a new piece of ink on his shoulder. It’s a small blue butterfly, and even as the dim golden light spills from my room and onto his chest, I can tell the blue is for my eyes; it’s a near perfect match.For you, yes, it says underneath.

“I don’t get it,” I say, but I do touch it. His skin is sizzling hot, and the touch sends a chill through me that warms my icy skin.

“It says everything I feel for you right there. Anything, Skyler. Any fucking thing. If it involves you, I’m in.” His teeth graze his lip. “For you, yes.”

“Why did you get that?” My heart is already on the floor. Stepped on, broken, shattered, tattered.

There’s nothing left of it.

“Because it will make you remember me,” he croaks.

A pained groan escapes from deep in my chest, and I swear it gives away my lies. I have to say something I know will make him go away. Sophie’s medical treatment isn’t done. I can’t risk my father pulling the checkbook away from her, not to mention him and Envy. “I would never love someone like you. Who I was before my coma isn’t who I really am.”

He nearly falls from the lattice. “It is. I know you.”

“You don’t know me at all,” I sneer.

A gentle knock sounds on my door. Warren. “Oh shit!” Foster freezes. “I don’t want you to get into trouble.”

“Then you should go,” I tell him, waving my hands to shoo him away.

A pained expression takes form on Foster’s face as Warren walks into my bedroom.

16

His golden hair is perfectly set, with not a strand out of place. Unmatching his expression, which is teetering on dangerous territory. “Am I interrupting something?” Warren asks, his side profile visible to us both.

He doesn’t look at me directly, just straight forward at Foster. Hard edges and a tailored suit are the shadow of my future against millennial pink walls.

“Nothing. He was just leaving,” Fuck.

The moment Foster’s boots touch the pavement, my heart cries out for him to climb back up and kiss me like the past.

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