Page 32 of Stronghold

What??

"What?"

"What if I want to put a smile back on your face?"

I think I'm having an aneurysm. That, or I've stepped into an alternative universe.

His smile turns into an evil grin. "Because I still remember how you loved when I did this—"

My scream pierces the quiet street as I bend over, giggling as Sky holds me in place and tickles me until tears run down my face for a new reason.

I'm sure I'd have a hard-on the size of Vermont if I wasn't so busy trying to breathe.

"You fucker," I say, trying to get away from his hold. "I'm going to get you for this."

He laughs. "I'd love to know how."

"Remember who you're sleeping next to." I wiggle my brows, and he gasps.

Sky sleeps like the dead, which, while we were growing up, gave me plenty of opportunities to spend hours staring at him during the night and to prank him.

Not that I'd do anything to him now, but he doesn't need to know that.

"Maybe this was a bad idea. How far away is your car? Burlington is only forty-five minutes away, and you'd sleep in your own bed…"

"Too late," I say. "You've already promised me pancakes for breakfast."

12

Skyler

This isit.Thisis what I've been missing for ten years.

Laughing with Jud. Teasing him. Having fun.

It makes me angry that I missed out on ten years of friendship. It makes me angrier that I always wondered what would have happened after the graduation party if he hadn't left.

But the Jud I knew then is different to the one walking side-by-side with me listing all the things he'll do to me in my sleep.

"Dammit, a whole afternoon wasted being an adult when I could have bought supplies," he mutters under his breath.

"What?"

"Huh?"

"You said something about supplies," I say, trying to keep the edge off my voice so I don't give away exactly what kind of supplies I'm thinking about.

"Sharpies, superglue, glitter. How am I supposed to torment you in your sleep without supplies?"

"I say you torment me enough as it is."

He laughs.

"By the way, do you still snore? Because that's a hard limit for me. I need my beaut—humph" I cough to regain my breath after Jud punches me in the side.

"Jeez, you're stronger than you look."

"And you'd do well to remember it," he says. "And fuck you, I don't snore. As if you'd even notice if I did."