Page 61 of The Fabric of our Souls

My eyes linger on Liam for a few moments before I follow Lanston. The wind stirs up leaves around us. This hill creates a pocket of sorts for the current. The view is breathtaking, but my insides are tearing themselves apart.

“Lanston?”

“Yeah?”

We both keep our eyes on the steps ahead. It’s taking everything I have not to break down and cry.

“I think I’ll ride back by myself. It’ll be nice to get some air.”

His hazel eyes flick over to me and he squeezes my hand. I leave out that I’m unsure if I’ll be returning. One phone call to James and I could be on a plane out of here tonight. Or I could ride until I end up in some random-ass town.

Anywhere but here…

“Okay, but you want to grab a bite first? Let’s get a cup of coffee and hit the bookstore. Then, if you still want, you can ride back alone.” He stops as we reach the bottom and zips up my coat more. Lanston has a kindness about him like no one else in the world. His cinnamon scent and lingering smile are so infectious that even the coldest heart would thaw.

“That does sound pretty nice.” I manage a half-assed, heartbroken grin. “What genre do you like?”

He winks at me. “Dark romance where the heroine gets fucked by the psychopaths.”

I burst out laughing and he cracks a wide smile too.

“Me too. I’ll give you recs if you give me yours.”

“Deal.”

24

Wynn

The coffee shophad everything from fancy matcha tea to iced americanos, but Lanston and I instantly decided we wanted pumpkin-spiced lattes. We talked about Boston. Lanston’s dream is to move there someday, and the more he spoke of it, the more it became my dream too.

Kindred spirits and all.

We each have five books in our bags by the time we leave the bookstore. He thought it’d be fun to pick for one another, so I chose some I liked and a few new ones I haven’t read yet.

We swore not to look at the books until we got back to our rooms, so our bags are tied shut and the anticipation is killing me. I set mine in the bag attached to the back of my bike. “Thank you.”

Lanston beams at me and pulls his helmet on. “For what?”

“For not letting my day suck. Liam hurt me… and I was ready to just run away from everything.”

He lowers his head, and though I can’t see his face, I know he’s got that sweet grin pulling at his lips. “I know… and it’s okay if you still want to. I just wanted to give you a nice afternoon and see you smile. I had more fun with you today than I have in years.” His voice is vulnerable and my heart flutters. “Are you riding back alone or are you down to come to the tattoo shop? Liam might be there,” he warns but his tone is smooth.

We both know Liam has a heart of gold. He’s dealing with demons that I can’t even fathom.

“Lead the way.”

* * *

The tattoo shop is a few blocks down and when I see Liam’s white Camaro parked out front, my stomach twists.

Lanston gives me a sympathetic look and offers me his arm. “If he’s here, then he’s ready to apologize. Did you see the way I pushed him? You don’t come back from that unless you’re ready to say sorry,” he says sarcastically.

I smile hopefully with him. But I’m still hurt from what Liam did earlier.

When we enter the shop I’m relieved to find it empty. Someone calls out from the rear for us to head back and Lanston comfortably leads the way.

I wonder how many times he’s been here. Lanston always wears hoodies and sweaters with long pants so I’m not even sure how many tattoos he has. Liam, on the other hand—I’ve scoured his body obsessively for weeks. I don’t think there’s one I wouldn’t be able to remember.

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