Wreck Me (Nova #4)(82)
Author: Jessica Sorensen

I catch his sleeve and haul him back to me. “Easy, Mr. Testosterone. You don’t need to go start a fight so we can both lose our jobs.”

“But he made you cry.” He gapes at me like that explains his irrational need to punch our boss in the face.

“He’s not the first guy to do that, Tristan,” I sadly remind him. “And I hate fighting whether it’s called for or not.”

His hot-blooded gaze simmers down. “I know… but… I just don’t want anyone to hurt you. Ever. You’ve already been hurt enough.”

His words strike my heart.

Split it apart.

And my soul ruptures out.

I want to kiss him.

“Kiss me now,” I whisper with need so passionately hot I swear I’ll burn to death if I can’t taste his lips.

His eyes widen in surprise, but he doesn’t hesitate, stealing the small space between us with a simple stride. Our bodies connect as our lips weld together with the faint glow of the sunset flowing over us. Tristan drowns me in warmth, and by the time we pull away, I can barely remember what upset me to begin with.

“Ready to go?” I ask, gasping for air as our lips part.

Panting, he glances over at The Vibe then reluctantly looks back at me. “If that’s what you want to do.”

Nodding, I clasp our fingers together, glad he gave in to what I wanted. “Yes, please.”

We get into Nova’s car, and then we’re driving to the beach. On the way there, we listen to music and talk about light things, which doesn’t seem like much, yet it’s everything I’ve always desired. I spent so much time arguing with Conner over bills, drugs, parenting, life that if feels nice to talk about easy stuff. Or maybe it’s just that talking to Tristan is easy.

Deep down, I know there’s something he wants to talk to me about. From the text he sent me, it might not be good either. I don’t bring it up, though, wanting just one more second, minute, hour, day, month, year, decade, lifetime of peace with him.

Jesus Christ. So much for not falling in too deep. I’ve already plummeted to the bottom and crashed into the unknown.

God, please don’t let me break again.

Please, just please, let things stay this good.

By the time we pull up to the sandy shore, the sky is a slate grey and dusted with the kisses of thousands of glowing stars. The ocean is lulling toward the sand, and in the midst of all the beauty is a massive bonfire with people gathered around it, drinking from plastic cups.

“Are you sure you’re up for this?” I ask as Tristan parks the Nova beside Charissa’s sleek black Mercedes that I have no clue how she affords. “I know being at parties can be hard when you’re a newbie to sobriety.”

“I’m ready if you’re ready,” he replies, shutting the headlights and the engine off.

I unfasten my seatbelt. “We could always skip it,” I add.

He slides the keys from the ignition. “But it’s your birthday party.”

“Yeah, but it’s only been a month since you stopped drinking, or since you took your last drink anyway… Oh, which reminds me…” I retrieve the quarter from the pocket of my shorts. “This is for you.” I stick my hand out with the quarter in my palm.

“Um, thanks?” He picks the coin up and flips it over with perplexity written on his face.

“It’s to mark your one month sobriety,” I explain, leaning over the console closer to him. “And that quarter is a big deal, my friend. In fact, there’s a huge story behind it.”

His fingers fold around the coin and he turns his head toward me, appearing moved. “Can you tell me the story?”

I knew he was going to ask this when I gave it to him, so I came prepared… I think. “I can tell you part of it, but only if you promise not to ask for too many details or look at me with pity.”

He smashes his lips together and nods. Through the soft stream of moonlight glimmering through the windshield, I can see he’s being genuine. “I promise.”

“Good.” I get comfortable in the seat, pulling my leg up to rest my chin on my knee. “So I’m sure you pretty much have a clear idea of why Conner and I got divorced, right?” He warily nods. “Well, the day I decided it was time to leave him was also the day I decided to stop drinking.” I reach over and tap his hand holding the coin. “And that’s the quarter that helped me make the call, the one that put an end to all the bad shit in my life.”

“Okay…?” He wants more.

And I’ll give him just a little because I trust him that much, even though I’m freaking terrified out of my wits.

Falling.

Falling.

Falling.

But it’s not a painful fall.

It’s almost…

Effortless.

“There was a fire, and we didn’t have enough money to afford cell phones, so I had to run to a payphone out in front of our trailer park. I honestly didn’t think the payphone would work, but it did, and I was able to call the police and the fire department before…” I suck in a gradual inhale and let the breath ease from my lips, my heart trembling. “And the crazy thing was, it gave me my quarter back after I made the call.”

“It sounds like a lucky quarter, then.”

“Oh, yeah, very, very lucky.”

Silence stretches between us as he studies me then the quarter in his hand. “Thank you, Avery. Not just for the quarter, but for remembering it was my month marker.” He puts the coin into his pocket then smiles up at me with something in his eyes that makes my heart miss a beat.

“You’re welcome,” I say in a shaky voice. “It’s an important marker.”

As he gives me a nervous smile, I can tell he’s going to tell me something soon, something that could potentially wreck me. I still hop out of the car, and he twines his fingers through mine as we hike down to the beach, stopping to take off our sandals when we reach the brim of the sand.

“Oh, I get to take my shirt off now,” he says with an evil grin, reaching for the collar of his shirt and lifting it over his head.

I suck my bottom lip between my teeth as I deliberately take in the sight of his lean muscles and intricate tattoo inking his side.

“Your nipples are perky,” I say, reaching out and pinching one.

“What the hell?” He laughs as he jumps away from my violating touch.

I laugh too. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist.”

“Well, it’s only fair that I get to pinch yours now.” He stalks toward me with his arms out, his fingers eager.