Page 102 of Too Far

“So maybe this storm isn’t such a bad thing, since we all get to be together,” Emilia announces.

I don’t need to look at Jojo to know she’s fighting back tears. As it stands, “all of us” will never be together ever again, even if we are sheltering under the same roof for the next few days.

Chapter 47

Locke

OutsidetheSuburban,Istretch my arms overhead and inhale the crisp mountain air, savoring the chill on the breeze.

I love the mountains. I love getting away from real life, losing myself in nature, away from the buzz of school and the media.

I haven’t felt this good in a long-ass time.

Each time I come off a bad flare, I’m wary. It’s hard to trust my body, or even my mind. I’ll feel incrementally better one day, but I don’t let myself hope. Not until I’ve made it through multiple days of reduced pain. Only then do I accept that maybe the worst is over.

Then, when the agony is diminished, I question whether it was really as bad as I remember. Sometimes I swear it was all in my head.

It’s ridiculous. Pain is pain, and mine is debilitating. It affects all aspects of my existence, and there’s no way to quantify what it feels like or how it’ll compare to the discomfort of the following day.

Today is the first day I woke up confident that I’m on the upswing.

The absence of pain is sweet.

The presence of her is even sweeter.

Being back in the mix with my girl—holding her without aching, kissing her, playing with her, and worshipping her the way she deserves—is the sweetest reward.

Once Jade has climbed out with her backpack and is dashing toward the cabin after Emilia—while Kendrick yells at her to put on the coat she has tied around her waist—I offer Joey my hand. When she emerges from the back seat, she looks suspiciously rosy-cheeked and satisfied.

“You fucked in the back seat,” I deadpan as she hits the running board on her way out.

“Finger fucked, yes,” Kylian declares as he climbs out behind her and moves past us toward the house.

With a gasp, Joey smacks him in the chest.

“Emilia said you were sad,” he counters, clutching her hand. “An orgasm always cheers you up.”

Joey rolls her eyes, then sets her sights on me.

She gives me a once-over, and when she finally meets my gaze, she breaks into a playful grin. My girl likes what she sees, and I’ll be damned if Kylian’s the only one who gets to cheer her up with orgasms over the next few days.

Taking a step closer, I lower my head just a little. “Hey, Hot Girl.”

Her eyes twinkle with delight. “You’re back.” Looping her arms around my midsection, she squeezes hard. Just how I like it.

With a groan, I pull her impossibly close, and because I can—and because she needs the lighthearted moment—I lift her off the ground and spin in circles.

When I settle her on her feet again, I bring my lips to the shell of her ear. “I’m back.” My voice is gravelly, even to my own ears. “I’m sorry it was so rough for so long.”

Slipping from my hold, she plants her hands on her hips and scowls. “Can I punch you?”

I can’t help the snicker that slips out at her odd request. “I mean, I guess?”

Her little play punch lands right in my abs.

With an exaggeratedhmph, I stumble. “You know I like it when you get violent with me, Hot Girl.”

She crosses her arms and holds her head high. “Don’t apologize for things you can’t control or for doing what you need to do to be okay. I don’t want you to ever say sorry for that again.”