Page 106 of Pit Stop

“Good.”

He doesn’t say anything, just fiddles with the Coke can.

“You going to contact Red about it?” I ask.

He peers up at me. “I don’t want to. Forest said he’d take care of Red.”

My throat bobs. “How is he gonna take care of him?”

“Dunno. I just don’t want to fuck him, you know?”

“I know.”

I’ll have to speak with Forest about that. Whatever Red wants with Skye, he can’t have it. He’s mine.

Skye sips at the sugary drink and smacks his lips. “This is good.”

“You’ve lost too much weight.”

“I know.”

“How’s school?”

“I’m not doing well there either. Grades aren’t great.”

“Skye.” My voice trails off when he starts to sniffle, and then his lips wobble, and I’m next to him in seconds, pulling him into me. He smells like home, like my love.

My nose nuzzles into him, and I can’t help myself. I scent him, marking him in my own way, the only way I can.

“I thought I wanted freedom,” he says as he leans into me, “but I miss you. I miss what we had. And now the break was all for nothing. I’m failing at life. I’m failing at school. And I hurt. I ache. I miss you, Mav. I fuckingmiss you.”

“Skye-light.”

My lips trail up to his wet cheeks, and I wipe them away as he continues, my heart swelling as he speaks. “I didn’t mean to fall for you,” he whispers. “I didn’t, but I did. And that’s why it hurts so bad. I think I love you.”

I freeze, and my eyes meet his, our noses brushing, our breath puffing against each other.

“You think?” I rasp.

“No. Fuck. I don’t mean that. I mean, I know. I love you, Mav.”

A deep growl leaves me, and I kiss him, my lips rough against his, but I can’t help it.

He loves me.

Mine. Fuck. He’s mine.

Something roars inside of me, but I pull back.

“We shouldn’t go too far. You’re sick.”

“I feel better being near you.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You would never. You can go slow. We can go slow.”

I can smell the slick dripping from him. He’s wet, eager. But fuck, he’s hurt.

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