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71

Summer

C onnor and his brothers emerge from the stadium, and I launch at him. Connor catches me easily and spins me around.

“Hi, babe.”

Connor grins and smothers my face in kisses. I giggle, my heart full of joy. The darkness that rose in response to being in such close proximity to the stranger calms. It falls back into its box like grains of sand sifting through an hourglass, collecting in the bottom until it’s disrupted again.

The calming effect Connor has on me reminds me of the Almighty and her words regarding my peace. He is my peace.

“Ready to go?” he asks, holding me against him. I nod, reluctantly unraveling myself from him. He sets me on my feet but immediately slings his arm around my shoulders. I take a moment to ponder the person I used to be. Once, I would have rejected his touch, but now I find comfort in it. This is what I wanted. It is what I asked for, but something is missing. But what could be missing?

“I love you,” Connor says into my hair as he kisses the top of my head.

I smile. “Let’s go,” I say, pushing the bad thoughts away.

“I hope you know I’m going to kill your roommate,” Zach says, coming up beside me. I can hear Zane snickering behind us.

I roll my eyes. “I highly doubt you’ll want to kill her after you’ve reaped the rewards of her efforts.”

There is a glint of intrigue in his eyes, but his voice is still angry. “How the fuck am I doing that?”

I look off into the distance and let my eyes glaze over, slowly waving my hand toward the heavens. “I foresee a blowjob in your future, Zachariah.”

Zach’s eyes darken a little, but he flinches. “Don’t call me that.”

I throw another eye roll at him. “So ungrateful. I’ll get Alice to stop.”

Zach looks away. “Listen, it’s… whatever.” He speeds up, his shoulders hunched. Connor looks at me reproachfully.

I grumble under my breath and sigh heavily before stepping out from under Connor’s arm and hurrying to catch up with him. I link my arm through his. “What’s wrong, Zachy?”

Zach shoves his hands into his front pockets and shrugs, but I feel the way his muscles tense beneath my fingers. “She doesn’t want to date me.”

I blink, studying his profile. “That cannot be true.”

Zach throws me a furious look, but I can see the undertones of uncertainty. His gaze holds a vulnerability that I’ve never seen in him before.

“Zach, if looks could kill, Alice would be ash after that game.”

He shrugs. “I’m tired of it being a secret.”

“Then tell her.”

He looks away again, trying to mask his pain. “I’ve tried.”

“Tell her again,” I reply simply, though I know it’s anything but a simple option.

“How many times do I have to be rejected by the same girl?” he asks. The soft desperation in his voice makes my heart ache.

I nudge him, waiting until he looks at me before I continue. “Let’s just party tonight.” I feel Zach’s shoulders fall. “And we can work it out tomorrow.”

Zach shrugs, but I feel him relax a little, and by the time we arrive at the house, Zach is back to his arrogant, dickish self. Rafe pushes past us and grabs a beer before disappearing into one of the other rooms, no doubt looking for a place to brood.

The party is in full swing, and Connor pulls me close as we push through the crowd. Ashley storms toward us, people scrambling to get out of her way. She slaps Zach across the face, her chest heaving and her eyes red from crying. The music suddenly stops, and all eyes land on them. She swings to hit him again, but Zach catches her wrist. I can tell he’s holding her gently like she’s fragile and precious. They stare at each other for a long moment. The tension between them surges, and Zach slams his lips to hers. Ashley pushes against his chest for one futile moment before melting into him and kissing him back. I lift my eyebrows and glance up at Connor. He looks just as confused as I feel.

Zach breaks the kiss but rests his forehead against hers.

A little sob escapes Ashley. “You fucked Alice?—”

Zach kisses her again, cutting off her words. Everyone watches the exchange in surprise.

He pulls back again, cupping her cheeks and forcing her to meet his eyes. “I didn’t. She’s a friend. Psychotic, but a friend.”

Ashley searches his face. “With benefits?”

Zach shakes his head, and Ashley nods once, pulling back from him and straightening her outfit.

“Okay. Good,” she says, clearing her throat. Zach grabs her as she’s reapplying her perfect mask and throws her over his shoulder.

He winks at Connor as he passes. “I’m using your move, bro.”

“Zach!” Ashley squeals.

Zach laughs and carries her upstairs. I blink up at Connor, and he smirks down at me.

“Apparently, we’re trendsetters.”

I laugh and wrap my arms around his neck. Connor pulls me in close and brushes a soft kiss against my lips, keeping his gaze locked on mine.

“I’m going to marry you someday, you know?”

My heart pounds harder and excitement sizzles through my veins, but the usual fear doesn’t clutch at my chest. Doubts niggle at the back of my mind, but I’m chalking that up to the unfamiliarity of the situation or maybe my inferiority.

“Oh?” I ask, looking up at his handsome, angelic face.

“Oh, yeah.” Connor tightens his arms around my waist. “I’ve got to lock you down.”

I snake my fingers into his hair.

“Is that a yes?”

I quirk a brow. “I’m going to keep you on your toes until you ask me. More fun that way.”

Connor laughs, and the sound wraps me in joy. “All right, future Mrs. Morningstar.”

I lean in and kiss him deeply, my lips pulled into a smile.