The world would have to end before I hurt Sorrow Sophia, the girl with two first names, who has gone through tragedies no one should ever have to go through.
A girl whose biological father is related to a large Irish mob family.
Damn.
I am in fucking trouble with a capital T because I am entertaining the thought that she never, ever contacts Ian McCabe.
I want her to myself.
I don’t want her to leave.
I have feelings for her.
I’ll wait to make her mine in the true sense of the word.
I want to be the first guy to make love to Sorrow, and the last.
21
Trace
“Are you ready?”
Seated between my legs, Sorrow glances over her shoulder at me.
“I’m with you, so yes, I’m ready, ready, ready!”
Laughing, she raises her arms in the air. I snap a picture. We look at the screen. I’m smirking. She’s happy. Perfect. I tuck the phone into my pocket.
Grinning from ear to ear, happier than I’ve been in a long time, I push off the hill at the same time I yell, “Let’s go!” to the guys flanking our sides, and we are off, racing down the mountain.
We’re going super fast. She digs her fingers into my thighs. I tighten my hold on her body. “You’re safe with me, Sorrow. I’d never let you get hurt.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
Little did I know I would soon break my promise to her.
22
Sorrow
“I can’t believe he has you working Christmas Eve.”
Trace scowls. His handsome face fills my phone’s screen. I’m sitting outside on a bench beneath a tree that’s lost its leaves, waiting for Ember. She said she had a break at the same time as me and would join me.
“And working you like a dog too.” His bottom lip sticks out.
Smiling, I call him out. “You’re being overly dramatic. Eight-hour shifts are what adults normally work. Shay and Leigh have been putting in a lot of hours, so it’s my turn. Plus, I had Monday off, and guess what we did?”
“Slayed that fucking mountain with how fast and expertly we rode down it while your screams of happiness echoed for everyone to fucking hear.” He smiles.
“Aw, there it is. My guy’s happiness.”
The words are out before I can stop them. Thank goodness Trace didn’t grab on to them and throw them in my face with something like, I’m no girl’s guy. I’m keeping my options open.
After we arrived at his place from inner tubing, we changed into comfy clothes, and binge-watched a few movies. Then we swam in the pool. Trace kissed me. I kissed him back. I did as he advised. I locked down the feels. Except I felt everything with our kisses. How could I not? I’m not an unfeeling person. Neither is Trace. But he has to be the one to decide when and who he’ll commit to. I’ll go along for the ride. I know I’ll end up with a broken heart. I’ve caught feelings for him.
