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“What?” I craned my head upward and studied his features.

To my dismay, he continued. “But feelings are a fleeting concept. What happens when I’m gone? Will you forget me?” He was giving me an admission, a little selfish considering he had just told me we weren’t that close.

Why couldn’t I scream at him here? Tell him that all he was doing with his words was giving me hope, and then ripping the rug from beneath me all in the same breath.

Unfortunately, it was the most I’d get from him, and moments, just like feelings, were fleeting.

“I will never forget you,” I gazed up at his impenetrable eyes.

“Love doesn’t exist in this world, Sara, and I am certainly not the person to place your trust in.”

“What makes you say that?” I reared back, confused, even though the answer he gave me was clear.

Was my heart not accepting what was being given?

“I have far greater desires in this world than to risk my heart being exposed to the violence of love. I’ve seen its effect in real time,” he replied.

Tears formed again, threatening to overflow. “Kane, you can’t possibly be this jaded,” I replied. Or stupid, I thought.

“Oh, trust me. I know what I’m talking about, Sara. Success is what I’m after. It is the only thing ‌in my life that can be guaranteed. Love only risks that. Even the idea of having romantic feelings…risks that.”

“So, I’m just supposed to forget you?” I asked, throwing his earlier question back in his face.

“I was never really there, Sara. There is nothing to forget.”

“Then why did you come find me?” That time I actually shoved against his chest, releasing myself from his hold, only to realize that the hold was never really reciprocated. His hands hadn’t even hovered near my arms; he’d just kept them stuffed into the neatly tapered pockets of his black slacks.

“I’m not sure, actually. I guess I wanted to say goodbye. Your dad is actually driving me to the airport tonight; there was an earlier flight, and I wanted to get an early head start,” he continued, dagger after dagger.

“You’re leaving tonight?” My lungs seized, and my stomach dropped. My heart felt it the most as the grip of his words reached in and squeezed as hard as it could.

“Yeah, the internship I’ve secured would like me to start as soon as possible, and I want to settle in,” Kane replied.

I raised a hand to stop him. “I hope you find everything you’re looking for, Kane,” I wrangled in the tears and schooled my features. Whatever it was, I wanted no part of it anymore. He’d have to find someone else’s head to mess with.

Rain soaked through my dress as I ran across the field, searching. Searching for anything to distract me and I found the perfect person curled into her boyfriend’s arms.

“Sara!” Chloe’s eyes sparkled when she saw me.

“Hey,” I said, smiling faintly as I approached.

“Decided to join us?” she teased, wiggling her fingers.

“I’m ready,” I said, arms crossed, damp skin itching beneath the heat. I scratched at my collarbone and watched them cling to each other like the world might vanish.

“Lucas’s parents gave us the cabin—it’s the senior send-off.”

“I’m in,” I said without thinking.

The rain faded, and sun spilled across the field. I shoved thoughts of Kane aside. If he wanted to discard me like road carrion, then I’d treat him like one.

“Oh—I forgot. Ash is back,” Chloe announced as we approached an idling truck in the school’s parking lot.

Ash. The wild, unruly boy I met on my first day here. I paused on the curb, taking in his form. His head was leaning against the seat, eyes closed. Loud music blared from within his truck.

“Ash!” Lucas called as he reached for the rear door and opened it for Chloe.

Ash opened his eyes. His brown eyes twinkled with amusement. A deep fatigue marred his newly pale features, highlighting tired, baggy eyes and faint scars littering his cheekbones and forehead. He didn’t tell me he was already back in town.