Page 110 of A Love Like Venom

We are both on top of my trailer gazing at the stars.

There’s something different about them tonight. None of them shine as bright. They don’t burn with hope.

None of them burn bright enough to wish upon.

It’s been that way since my momma’s death.

Watching them lower her casket six feet below had my heart dropping with her.

Some days I don’t think it ever returned. Because there are days where I almost feel hollow. Days where I can feel the darkness begin to consume me.

But it never does.

I’m never able to lose myself.

And that has everything to do with the girl laying besides me, our pinkies intertwined.

She’s the only thing that makes life worth living these days. And she makes me feel like I’m not alone.

That’s what she does, Alice Hall lights up every dark corner in your body.

I knew it from the very first time we met. Ever since I wanted nothing more than to bask in her light. To protect the innocence I knew she had. To shield her from the horrors of Hollows Point.

And I was doing good for the most part.

Until the death of my momma came. I couldn’t protect her from that. I couldn’t even protect myself.

“Reed?” Tentatively she says my name.

Moving my gaze from the stars I turn to look at her instead.

After all she has done more for me than the stars ever had.

I give my best attempt at a smile for her but it feels forced. “I’m sorry. Can you ask again?”

She presses closer to me. Our legs now brushing against one another. Pinkies still intertwined.

Her smile is sad and it doesn’t reach her eyes. But she tries anyways. She tries for me. And I think my heart falls a little more in love with her.

Because I am in love with Alice Hall.

I shouldn’t be.

It’s her sister that I am in a relationship with. And I really shouldn’t be.

Do I love Caitlin? Yeah, sure I do.I guess. I don’t fucking know.

I don’t love her to the point where I can’t breathe without her. She’s not the first thing that comes to mind. Hell, she’s noteven the last. She doesn’t make my heart stop in my chest or my breath catch from the sheer look of her.

She doesn’t know my secrets, not the ones I’ve kept so close. She doesn’t even know about the darkness that I carry. The need to burn everything down and for everyone to feel my rage.

Being with Caitlin is a safe bet.

There’s nothing to gain and certainly nothing to lose.

With Alice . . .

With Alice I could lose everything.

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