Page 10 of That Summer

What? What could I have done Friday night that would make this better? I couldn’t have, and wouldn’t have called Lucas. I couldn’t pull him away from the track. That’s so unfair. And Kaitlyn, she worked Friday night and was going clubbing. I didn’t want to be alone, and I didn’t want to be with anyone. I’m such an idiot.

“Hey,” Lucas said as if her thoughts registered on her face. “We’ll get through this. I promise. Maybe I should stay here for a few days? Help you through this dark space you’re in?” He reached for her hand and struggled to open it. “Jesus H. Christ, Aurora.” His jaw dropped, and he ran his thumb over the crescent-shaped indents in her palm.

Her throat was too dry to speak.

I know.

A bubbling of manic energy built within her, sending her heart racing and increasing her respiration. “I need to get out of here.”

I need to make this right.

“Do you want to go for a walk?”

She straightened up and stared at him. “No. Let’s go for a drive.”

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Unlock the damn door, Lucas.” If she was calm and collected in the elevator ride down, she wasn’t now. She shook beside the car while Lucas unlocked and held the door open for her.

“We’re going to do this. Now.” She placed her hands on the roof. “UB’s Sports Pub is less than two minutes that way.” Her finger pointed south.

“If you say so. You’re the boss.”

A couple of quick and very shallow breaths later, she sat in the passenger seat. Her eyes slammed shut.

You can do this.

No, you can’t.

You’re crazy. You’re talking to yourself.

“Shut up,” she said, as her mouth dried up.

See, nut job?

“I didn’t say anything,” Lucas said.

You can do this.

A few more breaths. Her heart would explode from her chest if it weren’t for the ribcage enclosing it.

“All good?” he asked.

She couldn’t move her head, and her lips were frozen shut. Slowly, with a shaking hand, she managed to give a thumbs up sign. She only hoped he could see it.

“Do you want me to buckle you in? Or do you want to do it?”

We can’t move until it’s done, but I don’t know if I can handle being strapped in. Maybe I should’ve thought this through. I wanted to show him I’m not a complete shithead, but this is too much.

“Aurora, do you hear me?”

She gave a small nod. “It’s cold in here.”

“If you say so.” His voice sounded as though he stood twenty-feet away from her.

It felt like she’d been transported to Hoth; everything around her was icy cold. With her eyes still closed, she felt behind her for the buckle.

I can do this.