“Then why won’t you tell me what’s going on in that head of yours?” I dared another look at her. Pinned her with my stare for as long as I could, slowing the car as the rain pelted us.
She shook her head. “Because I don’t know how to let it out. It’s a storm in here, Fox. I can’t see past the clouds right now. I can barely remember how to breathe.”
Her confession was raw. Real. I was grateful for it, and destroyed by it.
“I remember times like that.” I wanted to reach for her, but needed to keep both hands on the wheel.
“What did you do to make it stop?”
I let out a soft, humorless laugh. “Punch things.”
When she didn’t respond, I continued. “It does help to talk. The words don’t even have to make sense. They just have to get out.”
“Who do you talk to, Fox?”
Her question hung in the air, punctuated by rainfall. At one time in my life, it had been her. She’d been my comfort. The place I ran to for peace.
I realized for the first time since I’d seen her face again, I wasn’t angry with her anymore. I didn’t hate Skye Adler.
I missed her deeply.
“My brother. August.” It was a half-truth. When I was at one of my lowest points, physically beating my body to the point of hospitalization, he had been the one to pick me up as best he could. He was there for me when I needed someone the most.
A jagged bolt of lightning lanced across the sky, followed by a rumble of thunder so loud the entire vehicle vibrated.
Skye cursed under her breath.
I slowed down even more, the road even less visible through the deluge outside.
“How long is this storm supposed to last?” Skye’s voice was muffled by the rain hitting the roof.
I opened my mouth to answer, but a horn pierced through the pounding rain, followed by headlights illuminating the back window. I glanced into the rearview mirror, seeing nothing but light and rain.
Then my SUV suddenly jerked forward, sending Skye lurching toward the dash.
“What the hell?” I instinctively pinned an arm across her chest like I could keep her in even better than the seat belt secured across her body.
I was about to honk the horn back, when our vehicle jolted. Someone was running into us from behind. I cursed louder, ready to pull off to the side of the road, but we were hit yet again.
This time, my wheels skidded, hydroplaning on the soaked highway. I clutched the steering wheel, but it was no use.
We were spinning, the car rotating full circle, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.
20
Fox
Wespunforwhatfelt like forever before coming to a stop.
A complete stop.
I blinked, stunned we didn’t hit anything.
I looked over at Skye, my arm still locked across her chest. She was breathing hard, mouth slightly open.
“Are you okay?” I asked, my voice rough with shock.
She didn’t answer. Didn’t even look at me. Just stared straight ahead, eyes wide and unfocused, like she couldn’t quite register what had happened.
