Page 36 of Summertime Hexy
DEREK
It was just a kiss.
That’s what I keep telling myself.
Over and over, like a spell I’m trying to believe in.
Just a kiss.
One slip. One second of weakness.
It doesn’tmeananything.
And if I say that enough times, maybe I’ll stop feeling like I just ripped something out of my chest and left it behind in the clearing with her name still etched into it.
I’m walking aimlessly. Past curfew. Past the edge of camp. Pastreason.
The forest is quiet now. Even the sprites know better than to mess with me when I’m like this.
Like a live wire dragging through a rainstorm.
I shouldn’t have kissed her.
I shouldn’t havefeltthat much—like my whole body forgot how to be alone for a second.
Because she makes me forget. That I’m not supposed to want. That I don’t get tohave.
Hazel Blackmoore is light and noise andmessy hope.She deserves more than a monster who only knows how to ruin what he touches.
I wanted her anyway.
Still do.
The image of her is burned into the backs of my eyes—eyes closed, lips parted, hands clutching at my coat like I’m the only thing keeping her upright. She tasted like magic and defiance and somethingmine.
I stop walking.
I’m halfway to nowhere, heart racing like I’m being hunted.
Because Iam.
By this. By her. By what that kissmeant.
And it meant something.
No matter what I tell myself.
My feet move before my brain catches up.
I’m back at the cabin before I realize it.
The lantern’s out. Door closed. No movement.
But I don’t go in.
I don’t knock.
I just… stand there.
