Page 77 of Covenant

“No,” I snap as a crack blasts overhead. “It bothers you, so it’sourissue.”

He flinches as lightning flashes, illuminating his dim pallor. My jaw clenches. I don’t know where this fear of Wy’s comes from, but I know I need to get him out of here. I want him to feel safe. I need him safe.

“Come on,” I tug on him. We’re too far from anywhere with proper shelter, but there’s an old bunker close by. A leftover relic from some doomsday prepper. Wyatt and I used to camp out there when we were younger, pretending to be soldiers. “Let’s go.”

We start running, and it takes a few heartbeats for me to realize I’m holding Wyatt’s hand, that I grabbed him instinctively.

And he let me.

I swallow hard, ducking my head against the driving rain. Wyatt is running at my side, cursing as the ceaseless storm seems to chase us.

I can’t think of any of it. Nothing but getting him to safety.

And how right it feels to hold his hand.

The gray structure appears between the trees, moss partially hiding it. I increase my pace grimly, keeping a tight grip on him, wanting this to end so he’s not afraid, but not wanting to let go of him.

I want to hold his hand forever.

Without words, we slip and slide down the steps. The rudimentary door we put up years ago is still there, a little crooked thanks to the elements, but undisturbed.

“Shit,” Wy says as we fall inside, slamming the wood closed behind us. His hand leaves mine and I try not to mourn the loss. “That snuck up on us.”

“Are you okay?” I demand, gripping his shoulders and searching his face. “Wy?”

He exhales shakily, running a hand through his hair. My gaze lingers on the veins in the backs of his hands. “I’m okay. Think I need to sit down.”

I clear a space for him the best I can, kicking leaves and sticks to one side. It’s practically pitch black down here, a trickle of light coming in through the gaps around the door. There’s a scurrying in the corner and I try not to imagine what else might be seeking shelter too. “Here, sit down.”

Wy squeezes my shoulder before dropping to the floor with a sigh. He tilts his head up to me, but in the darkness, I can’t make out his features. It’s okay, I’ve studied them so much in the past I can probably draw them from memory.

A work of art. So fucking beautiful.

“Sit with me?”

Something skitters past my foot and I wince. “Sure.”

I can’t say no to Wyatt. I never could and never will.

I lower myself cautiously beside him. Thunder rumbles in the distance and Wyatt edges close to me. We’re closer now than when we were lying on the woodland floor. Every inch is pressed together, from our shoulders to our feet. “This okay?”

“’Course,” I pat his knee, forcing myself to just touch it twice before removing my hand. “Whatever you need, Wy.”

Lightning flashes, illuminating the space more brightly. I see Wy wince and leap into action. “Tell me something.”

“Like what?”

“Anything,” I say desperately, needing to distract him. I pick a subject at random. “What do you want to be when you’re older?”

There’s a long pause. “What makes you think I’ve thought about that?”

I laugh, nudging him with my shoulder. “Because it’s you. It wouldn’t surprise me if you’ve got plans A, B, and C already set up.”

He nudges me back. “Prick. How do you know me so well?”

Because I’m in love with you.

“Because you’re my best friend.” That’s the safer answer. The one that’ll keep him at my side. “So? What’s it going to be?”

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