Page 34 of When Sky Breaks
Foster shakes his head and cups my cheek. “This is your life. Just know that no matter what you do, forgive August or don’t, move on with Johnny or not, you’ll always have me and Trek.”
Throwing my arms over his shoulders, I bury my face into the crook of his neck, inhaling the scent of his warm skin and succumbing to the safety of his arms.
It’s all too much, but I hold the cards. It’s up to me whether I can do all those things. And I’ll never know if I keep avoiding August and what he means to me.
* * *
At dinner, after Foster took a long nap, my time for ignoring the big elephant in this town was up.
“Sky, honey, can you do me a favor tomorrow?”
“Sure, what do you need?” I wipe my hands on the kitchen towel and face him.
Despite Foster not having a huge appetite, the dishes have been piling up, and I can’t stand a dirty sink. I mostly blame that on my overgrown toddler of a brother hoovering a burrito into his mouth. All he does is eat. I thought boys grew out of this stage once they reached adulthood. How the hell does he fit all that in there and not choke? Does he think having a nurse in the family will save him in the event it does? He better watch it. He’s still not off my shit list just yet.
There’s that unmistakable twinkle in Foster’s eyes once I sit down at the table. “I have some photos I’d like printed off. Can you run to Snaps and do that for me?” He knows exactly what he’s doing by asking me this.
“And these pictures are that important?”
“Very.” He winks, and Trek sniggers, earning himself a dirty look.
“I suppose since you asked so nicely.”
“Thank you. Soon, you’ll be busy with this haunted house stuff, and I won’t be able to ask you for extra favors.”
I shake my head. He knows I can’t say no to him and that I need a kick in the pants with this whole August thing.
Fine. I’ll go. I’ll rip the bandage right off and hope I don’t take a bunch of skin with it.
“Yeah, sis, if you need any backup, hit me up.”
Backup my ass. I can only handle so much testosterone, and by the looks of this new August, he’ll have plenty of his own.
Foster raises a conspiratorial brow at Trek. “Yes. Call Trek if you need help with the, uh, photos.”
Their merriment at my expense earns each of them a classic Sky glare. If Foster wasn’t sick, I’d sock him in the shoulder like I do Trek on my way out of the kitchen.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
sky
I can’t do this.
Seems to be my current motto.
How did Foster know he’d be here? August’s motorcycle is parked in the exact spot it was the last time I spied on him.
Aware this tree won’t hide me for very long, I bite my thumb and pretend I’m not lurking as I fiddle with my phone and keys.
Damn, my family is right. August and I can’t fix anything if he doesn’t know I’m here. I owe it to myself and my possible future with Johnny to move past this.
Taking a deep breath, I walk toward Snaps as the door opens, and out he comes.
Again, I’m stunned stupid by the man and butterflies swarm in my stomach. Signature ripped jeans, tattoos, and a plain black T-shirt hugs his body. Windswept honey-brown hair lifts as he walks. So soft and thick. My fingers flex with the remembrance of running through it. His classic style didn’t evolve over time, but he didn’t need it to. He’s effortlessly handsome, and my heart squeezes at the sight.
I hold my breath and watch as he gets on his bike and backs from the parking spot. All without him noticing me.
Maybe seeing him again isn’t a good idea at the store. Pretty sure the USB Foster handed me contains zero pictures he needs to be printed off, so I abandon this mission and create a new one.