Page 17 of Crash into me
“Yes, you do. My Skyler does.”
“I was never yours.”From the moment I saw you, I was yours, Foster.
He bows his head in defeat, but this man never stays down for long. He lifts it up, a crooked smile attempting to melt away my cold, frozen heart. “At least take this.” He sets the burger on the seal and rips off his hoodie.
“Why would I want your hoodie?”
He shrugs as he extends his hand with it. “Because it smells like me, and because it may make you remember.” His tone is pleading, begging me to try. To just try. But I can't.
“You have to stop,” I whisper.
“I won't stop until you love me again.” A tear falls down his cheek. I’ve never seen him so vulnerable.
I try to channel my inner evil. I don’t want him to go, but as I look into his eyes, I see where my future could lead and where Sophie’s would end. “I would never love you.” I turn my nose up, but this doesn't deter him.
He squints his eyes, getting a better view of me. And that’s when he steps closer, his palm extends, and I close my eyes waiting to feel the touch of his palm cupping my cheek, but it never comes. “They’re already changing you,” he says to himself, holding onto the bright blonde strip of hair.
I pull away from his touch, but not before his knuckles graze my collarbone. The feeling of his touch ignites the dead butterflies in my stomach; they twist and twirl in euphoria before I hold my breath to cut off their oxygen. “Don’t touch me.”
He retreats towards the window and leans against the frame. We sit in silence for a long moment.
“Take your stuff with you.” I gesture to his hoodie and the burger.
He listens, tossing his jacket over his shoulder and gripping the burger in his hand. “Can you honestly tell me you’re happy here? I know you don’t remember me or the life you were living, but can you say to me with full sincerity that you are happy?”
I don’t hesitate. “Of course I am.”
“Then I’ll go,” he responds, dipping out of the window. I nearly want to tell him to go out the front door because I’m worried, but he can’t know how much I care. “But I don't believe you,” he tells me.
I throw my head in my hands as I hear him trailing down the ivy-hugged lattice siding. I want him to come back already. I want to throw my blonde hair down and let him climb back up to save me.
I steal one last glance, placing my hand on the windowsill. That’s when my blurry eyes see the lonely burger set atop his black hoodie.
With tears streaming down my cheeks, I slip his hoodie on, inhaling the mixture of grease and mint it provides and crying like hell as I eat the stupid cheeseburger.
7
Aknock sounds on the door, waking me. It’s a gentle sound as I rustle in the sheets. “Skyler, dear?”
I spring up on the bed, so excited for a sprinkle of normalcy in this house. “Mrs. Rita!” She sweeps in with a tray filled with food. “Oh my gosh!” I squeal, drooling over the assortment.
Her wrinkled cheeks tighten as she smiles. “I figured you’d like some breakfast.” She sets the tray down on the bed beside me. It’s filled with bacon, sausage, eggs, fruit, and a large glass of orange juice.
“You’re literally an angel,” I sing, digging right in. She laughs, about to walk away. “No way! You’d better help me eat this!”
“I ate earlier this morning. I can’t get my day started without a full breakfast, but I’ll sit with you.” She climbs in beside me, her smile making her look younger. She glows when she’s happy, and she’s always happy.
But as her gaze travels my face, I can tell she’s worried.
“How are you?” she asks.
“Much better now,” I reply over a mouthful of bacon. “Seriously, though, I’m doing okay. Have you heard anything about Sophie?”
She nods. “She just finished her second surgery, and she’s recovering at the hospital now.”
“Good, that makes me happy.”
Rita puts her hand on my leg. “This is going to be a long, winding journey for her Skyler. You’ve already done so much.” She looks around the room. “We could just pack your things and get out of here. Let us handle this; let the adults take care of the kids.”