Page 30 of The Favorites
“Listen,” I started as soon as I was on solid ground. “I was talking to Bella, and—”
His lips twisted. “So you two are friends now?”
“So what if we are?”
“You can’t trust her,” he said.
“You don’t even know her.”
“Neither do you. You thought she hated you, and now all of a suddeny—”
“She wants us to stay.”
“Stay?” Heath took a step back. “What do you mean?”
“Stay here, in Los Angeles. Skate at the Academy. We’d be their training partners.”
I didn’t want to let him get a word in edgewise. I had to get this out, defuse all his arguments before he could make them.
“Bella said the money wouldn’t be a problem, we’d work something out. We wouldn’t have to worry about school, either; we’d be tutored a few hours a day, like she and Garrett are, and the rest of the time we could train.”
Heath opened his mouth. I kept barreling ahead.
“We wouldn’t have to see my brother ever again. We’d be free.”
“I don’t know, Kat.”
I took his hand. I led him toward his unmade bed. I drew him down beside me.
“We could be together,” I told him. “Like we’ve always wanted.”
He stared at me, eyes shining in the glow of the streetlights outside the window.
Bella’s words rang in my head.Convince him.
“Unless…” I leaned closer. One of the flimsy straps of Arielle’s dress slid off my shoulder. “Unless that’snotwhat you want.”
Heath slid a finger under the strap, like he was going to tug it back into place. Instead, he twisted it around his knuckle.
“Of course I want to be together.” His voice was hoarse, breathing gone ragged. “But—”
I pushed him back onto the bed, straddling his waist like we were about to perform a lift. His eyes widened with surprise when I raised the dress over my head and tossed it onto the floor.
“You’re sure?” he said. “You’re sure this is—”
“Yes.”
I wanted it all. California and gold medals and Bella Lin’s unshakable confidence. I wanted so much skill and fame and money that we’d never have to worry about anything, ever again.
And him. I wanted Heath so much. I was tired of waiting.
I wanted it all, and I would have it.
“I’m sure,” I said. “About everything. But if you…”
I knew Heath wanted me—but did he want the same future I did? I needed to hear him say it, before I could go through with this.
“I realize it’s a lot to ask. Living in California long-term.”
