You’ll be fine, Trinity.
“Thank you for dropping everything to take me. I appreciate it,” I whisper to Elijah.
I envy Leo and Amelia. I wish he were my brother. The thought that he cares about me fills me with hope for a couple of seconds before I realize they won’t be in my life forever. I hope they are, but I’m not that lucky. I’m never that lucky.
“No need to thank me. I was just shooting some hoops.” He pauses while biting the inside of his cheek before saying, “By the way, I live with a grumpy brother, so I know when someone doesn’t want to talk. But I’ll always be here if you ever need me.”
“You do have a very grumpy brother,” I agree with a small chuckle. “And I appreciate that—you not forcing me to talk,” I clarify when he frowns in confusion. “You’re the only one who hasn’t forced me to talk. It feels refreshing.”
“Well, I’m glad to be a breath of fresh air,” he jokes, sending me a playful wink.
God, I hope this guy finds someone just like him. Elijah’s energy is the best. His heart is humongous, and his smile brightens my dim heart. I would definitely trust him with my drink.
As his fingers tap the leather steering wheel in an unfamiliar rhythm, I touch his arm, gaining his attention.
“Please stop here.”
Elijah looks over at me like I’m crazy. “You want me to stop in the middle of the road? That’s dangerous, Trinity. Let me pull over.”
The town I hate dearly is packed today. Many familiar people hustle down the streets, getting to where they need to be. I feel betrayal run through every vein in my body one hundred times harder than before. What did these people gain from telling my mom? I’m panicking in this car. I need out.
Pointing ahead of me while unbuckling my seat belt, which makes Elijah slam the brakes, I wave my hand in the air. “My car is over there. Thanks for the ride.” I open my door and hop down onto the street. Hearing a car blare its horn angrily, I stick my middle finger up high in the air.
“Trinity, are you crazy?!” Elijah yells with anger clear in his tone. “You’re going to get killed!”
I don’t glance back. I just keep walking toward where my car is parked on the side of the road. Yanking my car door open, I get in as fast as I can and speed off onto the road, leaving Elijah shocked in my dust.
I don’t know where I’m going.
All I know is, I have to get out of here.
SIXTEEN
LEO
Her gaze is like fire. I want to burn.
That’s all I have so far. I have to admit, it’s kind of catchy, but not really. I wish I could come up with more.
I hate the fact that she’s on my mind when I write. I try to think of anything else, but she always ends up haunting my thoughts. Everything about Trinity amazes me—the way she talks, how she looks at every single detail with a slight frown, and how she fiddles with her necklace when she’s nervous.
I can’t help but look at her differently since yesterday. Before, I thought she had an attitude problem. Now, I see who she truly is. I see the damage her heart carries, how she pushes people back to protect what’s left of it. I crave to be the one to help her regain the warm feeling she’s lost within herself.
I find myself wanting to be around her all the time. Being in her presence calms me down. She opens my mind and makes me see life in a way I haven’t before. I get the urge to work hard and make her proud.
Yet the other half of me wants to lock her in my bedroom and have my way with her. I want to make her feel good, worship her till I hear my name leaving her lips breathlessly. I want to know how her skin tastes, if it’s as soft as it looks.
God, she’s making me crazy.
I can’t write when she’s on my mind. My dick constantly reminds me of how I’m already wrapped around her finger. I drop my pencil to my desk below me and pick up my guitar.
Strumming my fingers lightly against the strings, I attempt to get lost in my head.
A knock sounds at my door. I turn and find Amelia staring at me.
“Trinity’s mom just came by. She asked if Trinity was here.”
I playfully look around my room. “Nope, not in here.” I wish she were.
