Page 40 of Where the Stars Heal

I’M NOT ALONE

HALLE

I feel like a child sneaking back home, not wanting to be caught. But it’s the middle of the morning, and the guy I snuck out to meet is following behind me, carrying my shirt that was too heavy to keep on when we emerged from the waterfall.

Never in my life have I felt so consumed before, by nature, by him. His lips, strong arms, the heat of his body in the chill of the water wrapped around me. My core throbs thinking about moments ago. Asher’s lips were… they were everything, and it wasn’t just the kiss. It was the way he held me in that possessive way where it felt like all my broken pieces were being glued back together. The chaos inside me went quiet and, in a way only Asher has ever made me feel… Safe. It wasn’t aggressive, but dominating. His grip was tight around my waist, his hand on the back of my head, fusing us together, his tongue moving in sync with mine. The way he grabbed his discarded shirt, his heated gaze never leaving mine as he held it out and said, “Here, sweetheart, swap your shirt for this one.” His words, so simple but caring, mademy heart stutter.

I trace my finger over my lower lip, where his taste still lingers—minty but bitter, dark and intoxicating yet cool and fresh. It’s all Asher. A shiver rolls down my spine, and I glance back at him, my eyes roaming over his bare chest, his toned stomach, and back up. Heat rises up my neck as he winks at me, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, and I quickly turn back. If there was any doubt before, there isn’t now. He’s pulled me in, completely undone me, and now I crave more.

I pause by my car and turn to face Asher. “So, how are we doing this?” I ask.

He looks at me, his head tilted in confusion. “Doing what?”

“You know… What if Hunter’s awake? What are we going to say to him when we walk in looking like this?” I wave my hand between the two of us.

My shorts have uncomfortably dried and cling to my thighs. I’m wearing Asher’s shirt that has two gaping holes down the side where my arms go, my hair is clumpy and wet, and he’s just… I look him up and down and curse. He’s just shirtless, carrying my things but looking like we didn’t go for a swim at all.What the fuck.

Asher chuckles, running a hand through his curls. “We’ll tell him that I threw you into the water for a swim.”

I gape at him. “But what if he thinks that’s weird? What if he asks more questions?”

Panic starts to creep its way inside my chest. How am I supposed to tell my brother that I just kissed his best friend?

Asher steps closer. Gently holding my arm, he gives me a light squeeze and quietly laughs at my disarray. “Let him think what he wants, Halle. We have nothing to hide.”

“I don’t even know what to think,” I whisper, glancing down at my bare feet.

The mood suddenly shifts, the space between us feeling heavier than before.

I can’t do anything right.

Asher pulls me in, wrapping his arms around me, and rests his head on top of mine. “I’ll talk to him. But if he’s awake, then you hug him because after reading his letter, you both need it. Let me worry about everything else.”

I take in a steadying breath. He’s right. I need to hug my brother, to tell him I’ve missed him. Stepping out of his hold, his warmth stays wrapped around me, and I offer him a weak smile. For the first time since my Mom left me… Hunter left me, I don’t feel so alone. The tightness deep in my chest starts to loosen, and my shoulders drop slightly.

Asher’s eyes soften as he reaches out to link our pinky fingers. “Come on—” he starts to say just as Hunter’s voice booms across the yard.

“Why the fuck are you half-naked, dude? And why is my sister wearing your shirt?”

Startled, we jump apart, spinning to see Hunter standing on the porch, rubbing one of his eyes with the back of his hand, his hair sticking up in every direction. I hold back a laugh—he looks like death warmed up, the dark circles under his eyes are prominent, and his shirt is on backward. Movement behind him catches my attention, and my eyes narrow in on Connor. He’s standing there, grinning behind a coffee mug, his eyes flicking between Asher and me.

He better not say anything. I know he knows something is going on, and he’s got that trouble-making expression written all over his face. I scowl at him, and he tilts his head at me while he mimics zipping his lips, followed by dramatically throwing away an imaginary key. My hand flies up to cover my mouth, and I cough into it to cover a giggle that tries to escape at Connor’s antics. He turns and lets out ahowl of laughter as he stalks back into the house, leaving Hunter on the porch alone.

“What the fuck’s so funny, dude?” Hunter yells after him as Asher mutters, “Fucking Connor,” at the same time beside me.

I glance at Hunter, whose attention is now back on me. His eyebrow arches, clearly waiting for me to explain, but suddenly I’m ten again. I’m the little girl who thought the whole world of her big brother, the one who needed him to protect her from mean words and dirty looks.

Hunter’s words in his letter come back to me.I’ll never stop worrying about you.

I run to him, colliding into his chest as I wrap my arms around his middle and let out a shaky breath, gripping the back of his shirt even as he stiffens at being caught off guard, but only for a second. Hunter’s arms close around me, and something inside me clicks into place. It feels like coming home. I hold on so tight, like the little girl in me is trying to make up for all the missed hugs over the years.

“Missed you, big bro,” I murmur into him, my voice hitching as longing overwhelms me.

His arms tighten around me. “Hey, lil sis.”

“I’m sorry for shutting you out,” I rush out before he can ask me any questions.

“You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. Are you okay, Halle?” he asks, voice laced with concern.

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