by Susan Stoker
He stepped forward, holding out his hands. “W-w-what’s w-w-wrong?”
She opened her mouth and closed it, clenching her jaw. Fisting her shaking hands on the sheets, she tore them off her and jumped out of bed.
The tiny hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Something was very wrong. Was this her running scared because of last night? She’d never let any other guy get close to her, but he thought maybe he’d be different because of what they already shared. The broken expression on her face ripped his heart out. Maybe he’d been wrong. What have I done?
6
Amara
Grabbing the clothes strewn across the floor, Amara didn’t bother getting dressed. Lyric had already seen every exposed inch of her and, apparently, he’d gotten his fill. Apparently, last night meant next to nothing to him while meaning everything to her.
They’re all the same. Even Ric. They all take what they want and leave.
Chris asked Lyric’s permission to go for it with her.
“I just wanted to check, ’cause you two seemed pretty close last night. I just don’t want to step on any toes, if Amara is your girl?”
She’d held her breath, waiting for Lyric’s response, hoping he’d tell Chris he was out of luck. But that didn’t happen.
“Go for it. She’s all yours.”
His answer broke something inside her. He’d passed her on like an object. Just like almost everyone else in my life has. The familiar sting of rejection reared its ugly head, gnashing the tender pieces of her soul that she’d laid bare before him. She could almost hear the clink of the steel walls locking back into place around her heart. And now he had the audacity to ask her what was wrong.
She huffed and darted past him to the bathroom, but he caught her arm.
“W-w-where are you going?”
She couldn’t look at him or the tears would fall. She wouldn’t let him see how much he’d hurt her.
“We said one night. The sun is up.”
He flinched, his hand going slack on her arm enough for her to pull away.
“C-c-cupcake?”
“Don’t call me that!” She spun around, fury blazing.
His brows drew together, hurt flashing in those blue pools she’d gotten lost in last night. She hated that it tugged at her already tattered heart.
She turned and ran into her room, shutting the door and clicking the lock. If only she’d known to do so last night.
Two hours later, her mask of indifference firmly in place, Amara zipped up her coat.
“This is gonna be so fun. I hope you like going fast.” Chris gave her a wink, making it clear he wasn’t just talking about the snowmobiles.
Lyric’s heated gaze burned the side of her face. She glanced his way as Lyric sent an angry glare towards Chris.
What is his problem?
Lyric approached her. “C-c-can we talk?”
She shook her head. “Think we said all we needed to earlier.” Amara opened the door, welcoming the crisp mountain air against her hot skin. The wind would give her an excuse for the watery redness of her eyes.
She threw one of her legs over the back of the snowmobile before Chris climbed on.
He handed her a helmet before donning his own. “Hold on tight.”
She squeezed closer to him, casting one more glance towards the front door. Lyric’s cheeks flushed red, his posture stiff.
After an invigorating trail ride, they’d made it back to the cabin in one piece. Cooper and Krystin were making snow angels, and Samantha and Lyric were sitting around the outdoor fire pit drinking hot chocolate and laughing.
Jealousy burned hot in her veins. He’d moved on quick. I don’t know how I could be so blind and think he was different.
“Oooh, do we have marshmallows?” Chris asked, wrapping an arm around Amara’s shoulders and leading her to the fire.
“Yeah, I’ll go get some,” Samantha offered as her phone rang. She answered, disappearing into the house.
“Cold?” Chris asked Amara.
“A little.”
He tucked her closer to his body and rubbed her arm. “Say the word and I’ll warm you up. I can think of several ways if this doesn’t work.”
A low growl drew her attention to Lyric across the fire. She quickly averted her eyes. If he didn’t like seeing another man with her, he shouldn’t have passed her on like she was nothing to him.
“I have been meaning to ask, what are you?” Chris turned to face her.
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “I’m human last I checked.”
He laughed, and it grated on her nerves. “Nah, I mean like what’s your ethnicity?”
“I’m biracial. Black and white,” she answered in hopes of staving off the next round of guessing as to her roots.
“You look so exotic.”
And cue the red flags. She inched away from him. The last thing she needed was some frat boy fetishizing her and bragging to his friends how he bagged the exotic chick.
“Okay.”
“It was a compliment.” He smiled, showing off his straight white teeth.
“If you say so.”
He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “I like a woman that plays hard to get.”
“That’s not what this is.”
Lyric took a step forward, hands fisted at his sides.
“Who wants marshmallows?” Samantha interrupted, holding out the bag.
Chris took three and didn’t even bother roasting them before he scarfed them down.
Amara turned to check on Krystin, but she was busy making out with Cooper in the snow.
Samantha groaned. “I wish those two would get a room.”
“Maybe one with soundproofed walls next time.” Amara laughed. Her face heated when she looked at Lyric, and it had nothing to do with the bonfire between them. Memories of last night speared through her.
Chris bent over and grabbed two fistfuls of snow. “Watch this.” He threw one, hitting Cooper right in the face.
Cooper jackknifed up, wiping at his cheek. “You asshole!”
Chris sent the other sailing towards Samantha, hitting her shoulder.
Cooper sent a snowball soaring towards Chris, but he put his hand up to block it, sending the snow scattering in all directions.
The next thing she knew, Amara was on her back with Chris shoving snow down her coat. She screamed and thrashed, grabbing a handful of white powder and smearing it all over his face.
Suddenly, his weight was lifted off her, Lyric’s fist hitting Chris in the face.
Samantha screamed. Cooper and Krystin raced forward. Chris’s surprised expression quickly morphed into anger as he kicked Lyric’s legs out from under him. Lyric crashed on top of Chris as they struggled. Fists flying. Trading groans and grunts of pain.
Amara scrambled to her feet, grabbing Lyric’s shoulders and pulling him away. “Stop!”
“What the fuck, man?” Chris said, wiping the blood from his nose as Cooper got between them.
“I think it’s best if you leave.” Cooper left no room for argument, his gaze darting between Lyric and Amara.
How had this trip gone so horribly wrong?
Lyric’s tongue darted out to the blood on his lower lip. Redness blooming on his cheek, already turning dark purple. He nodded, his eyes darting to Amara’s.
“I’ll go get my things,” Amara said.
Samantha held up a handful of snow to Lyric. “For your face.”
He took it. “Thanks.”
“Do you mind if I catch a ride back with you to Shattered Cove? My mom called while I was inside, and my grandma slipped on the ice and broke her hip.”
“Sh-sh-sure.” Lyric walked into the house with her.
Amara turned to her remaining friends. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into him. He’s never—”
“Why does she have to go?” Chris whined.
“Cooper is right. I should go. This trip wasn’t anything I’d hoped it would be.” Amara sig
hed.
“I’ll call you tomorrow on our way back.” Krystin gave her a hug.
“Can I at least get your number?” Chris asked.
Amara gave her friend a pleading look.
Krystin looped her arm through Cooper’s. “Let’s go for a walk before it gets too dark.”
Once they were out of earshot, Amara spoke. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Seriously? I thought we had fun. At least until your boyfriend socked me.”
She shook her head. “He’s not my boyfriend.” But I wanted him to be.
“Maybe you should let him know that.” Chris shrugged. “No hard feelings. You have a safe drive back. Maybe we’ll meet again, and I can have another chance to win you over.” He gave her a wink.
Or maybe never. Chris reminded her of all the guys that came before. And the fact that there was a before sent another arrow through her bleeding heart.
Amara packed her things quickly and lugged her suitcase out of the room. A strong hand wrapped over hers, taking the bag from her fingers. Lyric picked it up without a word, then carried it down the stairs and out to the car.
“Do you mind if I sit up front?” Samantha asked, a slight blush covering her cheeks.
It was clear she had a crush on Lyric. And who wouldn’t, the man was sexy as hell. And before this morning, Amara thought he was the kindest, most sincere man she’d ever met.
“Go for it.” Amara climbed into the back seat.
Lyric’s eyes met hers in the rearview mirror. “W-w-what are you doing back th-th-there? You get car sick.”
Samantha gave her a worried glance. Amara lifted a tablet in her hand, popping it into her mouth and chewing. “I’ll just take the motion sickness medication.”
She buckled her seat belt and laid her head against the window. Samantha carried on a mostly one-sided conversation with Lyric as holiday music played softly through the Jeep’s sound system. Snow-covered evergreens whipped by, lulling her to sleep.
“You should drop her off first since it’s on the way to my house.” Samantha’s voice woke Amara.
She opened her eyes as the sign welcoming you to Shattered Cove whizzed by, surrounded in white lights. She closed her mouth and wiped the drool from her chin.
“She’s right. Just drop me off at my parents’,” Amara said, straightening in her seat. Her head was still dizzy from the medication.
Lyric’s eyes met hers in the mirror, but she looked away, not wanting to hear his unspoken thoughts. It was clear he had a lot to say, but just like always, he kept it to himself.
As soon as the car stopped in front of her parents’ home, she had the door open. Lyric grabbed her suitcase.
“C-c-cupcake, we need to talk—”
“I thought you weren’t coming home until tomorrow?” Belle asked from the porch.
Amara used the distraction to pull her luggage away and turn her back on Lyric. “Yeah, one night was more than enough for me.”
Not even close. But it was all she’d ever have.
7
Amara
Ding-ding.
Amara picked up her phone and groaned before swiping to ignore the call from Lyric. This was the seventh time he’d called since last night. Fifteen texts sat in her inbox, taunting her.
Tears blurred her vision. How could he do that to her and then try and act like everything was back to normal? Because I told him to. She sighed. That was before he’d made love to her. If she had known how it would change things, would she take it back? Yes. No.
“Ugh!” She tossed the phone on the pillow.
Knock. Knock.
“Come in.”
Belle walked in, concern marring her brow. “You feeling okay?”
The instinct to lie and pretend everything was fine was on the tip of her tongue. But this was Belle, the woman who had shown her more love and acceptance in the few years she’d known her than Amara had known in a lifetime.
“No.”
Belle sat next to her, pulling Amara into her arms. Amara hugged her back as the tears began to fall.
“Does it have anything to do with the fact you came home from your trip early?” Belle asked.
Amara nodded, sitting up and wiping away her tears.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“I slept with Lyric.” The words tumbled out of her.
If Belle was surprised, her face didn’t show it. “And you have feelings for him?”
“I love him.” It was the first time she’d said it out loud, each word tearing apart the scabs on her wounded heart.
“And that scares you,” Belle pointed out, more statement than question.
“He doesn’t feel the same.”
“Are we talking about the same man? Lyric Graham? The boy that’s had hearts in his eyes for you ever since you brought his scrawny ass home from school?” Belle teased.
Amara couldn’t hold back her laugh. He used to be scrawny. Not anymore. He was all man now. The smile on her face faded into a frown as she shook her head. “He made it clear I am nothing to him.”
The lines between Belle’s eyebrows deepened. “I don’t understand.”
Amara drew in a deep breath and told her mother the story from start to finish, leaving out the steamy details.
“I think you should talk to him,” Belle said after a minute of silence.
“What? After everything I told you, you’re taking his side?”
Her mother squeezed her hand. “I am always team Amara. And that’s why I think you should hear him out and then give him a piece of your own mind. Men can be so stupid. And I know it’s for different reasons, but I have a little experience when it comes to a man who keeps things inside and doesn’t communicate well.”
“But you and Dad talk all the time.”
The corner of Belle’s smile lifted. “We do now. In the beginning, we were pretty much enemies. I made assumptions about him, and vice versa. But once we actually let our guards down and talked about it, we realized we had a lot in common. We still had to work through his communication issues though.”
“I don’t think this is the same thing. He clearly said, ‘Go for it. She’s all yours.’ How can I misunderstand that?” Amara crossed her arms over her chest.
“Before the trip, would you ever in a million years imagine Lyric would be that kind of guy?”
“No.” Amara didn’t even have to think about it.
“And has he treated any of his past girlfriends this way?”
“Never.”
“Seems like there’s more going on than meets the eye here,” Belle mused.
Doubt crept into the edges of her mind, roots growing and splintering through her surety. “I’m scared to put myself out there and be all vulnerable and shit. Being with him was like exposing my soul. Then, the way he handled it …” Amara looked up at the ceiling, trying to stop the tears from falling.
“Love is scary. It’s risky. But if it’s with the right person, it’s worth all the heartache to get there.” Belle cleared her throat. “Maybe a big part of this is your insecurities taking over and affecting how you filter the information?”
Amara sucked in a breath before exhaling the pent-up emotion with it. Her mother made sense. Was this her fears talking? If this was any other guy, she wouldn’t have thought twice about cutting and running. But this was Lyric. Her best friend. The man she’d fallen in love with.
Ding-ding.
“Is that him?”
Amara nodded, staring at the device. “I’m not ready to talk to him yet.”
Belle leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I’m heading over to Mikel and Remy’s to help decorate for the Christmas Eve party. Do you want to come?”
“Yeah. I’ll get dressed.” A distraction would be nice while she decided what she was going to do about Lyric. After the party, she’d call him back.
Three hours later, she was rolling ham and cream cheese around pickles before slicing them and setting them on a pl
atter. Holiday music played softly in the background as Belle decorated cookies with her niece and nephew.
“These are my favorite.” Mikel picked one of the hors d’oeuvres off her plate.
Remy swatted a hand in front of him. “Leave these alone or there won’t be any for our guests.”
Mikel wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a kiss, effectively silencing her.
Amara rolled her eyes. Her aunt and uncle were just as bad as her parents. “There are children present.”
Mikel pulled away, smiling. “Lyra and Phoenix are used to us.”
Remy looked at her husband with so much adoration it was blinding. Amara had to turn away at the brightness. It was a reminder of what she’d wanted for so long but thought impossible. Then Lyric had to go and give her a taste before the rug was pulled out from under her.
Ding-ding.
She pulled out her phone, Krystin’s name flashing across the screen. “I have to take this.”
Amara slid off the stool and answered, heading to the back porch for some quiet.
“Hey. Are you home?”
“Yes. We just got in. I had spotty signal or I would have called sooner,” Krystin answered. “I have to go help my mom with dinner before Cooper burns the house down, but I wanted to let you know we had a very interesting conversation after you guys left.”
“I’m really sorry about what happened. I don’t know what got into Lyric, but I plan to find out.” Amara traced her finger along the fog on the window.
“You really don’t know?” Krystin sounded surprised.
“Know what?”
“It’s obvious he likes you as more than a friend.” A crash sounded through the phone.
Amara winced.
“Mom! Just wait for me. Cooper, get the wine out. Ugh, I have to go before they destroy what’s left of our holiday meal,” Krystin said, exasperated.
“Have a good night.” Amara laughed before hanging up. Her eyes snagged on the heart-shaped doodle she’d drawn with her finger.
