Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84195 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“Glad to help.” I grinned. “Hey, wanna get closer?” I tugged on his hand, motioning toward the fence line, which was only a few feet away. It would be awesome to get more privacy with him, but not be too far away that he couldn’t still keep an eye on his mom, whose laughter had rung out, no doubt over something the man had said.
Once we reached our new spot, we stood there looking up at the sky, our fingers knotted together for a couple of precious minutes. It was such a small moment, but to me…it was everything.
I sighed when our hands separated, already missing his warm skin.
And then I heard my mother somewhere behind us, talking in a raised voice, possibly so she could be heard over the booming fireworks. No doubt she was speaking to one of the posh society ladies—I could always spot the tone she reserved for her snooty friends—and I barely kept from rolling my eyes.
Sky had just pointed out his favorite firework that looked like glinting diamonds when I heard a voice ring out from the direction of my mother again. “Is that Clark’s newest boyfriend?”
I tensed, my entire body flushing. Did they not realize how their voices carried? Or was I just hypersensitive to my mother tonight? Sky was still focused on the fireworks, so it could’ve just been me.
“No, thank God. They’re only friends,” Mom replied, and I felt the heat of shame crawling across my cheeks. I stood motionless, still hoping like hell that Skylar wasn’t tuning in to the same conversation, but I couldn’t bear to look at him right then.
The friend made some sort of noise, half laugh, half snort. “He could definitely do better. And who’s that he brought along with that annoying laugh?”
My stomach bottomed out, my feet feeling cemented to the ground.
“His mother. Does she actually think Brock is enjoying her company?”
“He’s clearly only tolerating her.”
What. The. Fuck. The ground felt like it had shifted, there was a roaring in my ears, and all I saw were angry red slashes in front of my eyes. I could barely contain my fury as I turned to glare at my mother.
“What?” she mouthed as she caught my eye, seeming perplexed.
“Be right back,” I told Sky, trying to keep my voice steady.
I stepped toward my mom and lowered my voice, trying not to draw attention. “You know I can hear you and your pretentious bullshit, right?”
“Clark, language.” Her hand briefly covered her mouth as if I was the rude one, while her friend seemed aghast. I would’ve laughed at the hypocrisy if this wasn’t about my life and the guy I loved.
I glanced over my shoulder, hoping against hope that Skylar was still busy looking at the display over the water, especially since the finale had just begun and it was always spectacular.
But I couldn’t concentrate on any of that because Skylar was no longer standing where I’d left him. My gaze searched the yard frantically for Aura, but the man she’d been speaking to was now alone. Goddamn it!
Was this my worst fear realized?
“How could you?” I lobbed accusingly at my mother before storming across the yard, hoping they had gone to the bar for another drink. No such luck. I strode into the house, and when I didn’t see them anywhere, I burst out the front entrance to the driveway.
I looked around the yard there, then jogged toward the street. Again, no luck. They had obviously left and, of course, I had my suspicions why.
I glanced up at the sky as the finale was winding down, then lifted my cell to text him.
Sky, are you okay?
I waited. No answer. That was when I knew with certainty he’d heard everything.
I’m so fucking sorry.
37
Skylar
“Sky?” Mom asked as I drove us home. I’d been quiet about what was going on, not wanting her to know what Clark’s mom had said about her. Me? I could deal with that shit. I knew how she felt about me, and I knew I wasn’t good enough for Clark, but she had no business dragging my mom into it. She hadn’t done anything wrong. “Did something happen?”
“Nah, just over it,” I replied, not looking toward the passenger seat. If there was one thing Mom could do, it was read me, and I knew that once she looked into my eyes, she’d know I was lying. “Are you still staying at my place tonight? We can watch horror movies and stuff our faces even more. That sounds way better than a prissy party where people look down their noses at others.” Not Clark, of course. He’d never done that with me—with anyone. From the first time we’d met, he’d always treated me like a friend.
“Let’s do it. Slumber parties with my favorite person in the world also happen to be my favorite thing in the world to do.”