Page 7 of The Space Between Heartbeats
Owen’s close to her ear and she’s smiling at him. Not her real smile—this one shows her anxiety. He probably thinks it’s the real thing, though. He’s never known the difference. But I have. I’ve always known.
They cross the last stretch of parking lot and I get a better look at her. Her cheeks are flushed pink, and not the kind of pink that comes from the morning heat. And there, right on the side of her neck, barely hidden by her hair, is a mark. Small and dark.
My jaw tightens. I know exactly why they were late.
Ella moves first, pulling Sawyer into a hug like they’re old friends instead of near strangers who’ve exchanged maybe thirty words at family functions neither of them wanted to attend.I watch Sawyer’s expression shift to mild surprise, then the polite version of warmth she gives people she doesn’t know well enough to trust yet.
I stay where I am, staring at my brother’s hands. The same hands that were all over Sawyer this morning. That touch her every morning.
“Finally,” Ella’s saying. “I was starting to think you guys bailed.”
“Traffic,” Owen says smoothly, moving in to hug Ella next.
I look directly at Sawyer. “Traffic. Right.”
She holds my gaze, daring me to be the one to blink first.
She’s got that fucking flush in her cheeks, the mark I won’t stop thinking about, and now she’s putting up her armor. The same way she always does when I’m within ten feet of her.
I push off the pillar.
“Good morning to you too, sunshine,” Owen says, clapping me on the shoulder hard enough that I know he’s telling me to behave.
I let out a huff and fall into step beside him, letting the distance between me and Sawyer grow before I say some shit I’ll regret.
Owen starts rambling about the new coaster, about some ride ranking he saw online, about wanting to find the good churro stand before the line gets long. And I let his voice go in one ear and out the other because I’m trying to hear Sawyer.
Ella is chatting away at her, asking her about the last time she was here, sounding a little too bright to be genuine. Sawyer’s responses are short, polite. Not giving too much away.
I don’t turn around, even though I’d give my left hand to watch the small changes in her expression.
I stay quiet, looking ahead.
She’s been busy fucking Owen this morning. We both know it, and neither of us is going to say it out loud. But I bet sheknows I won’t stop thinking about it. I bet she’s flaunting that hickey to punish me.
It’s deserved.
I keep walking. Keep hearing Owen talk without actually listening.
Whatever I decide to say to Sawyer today can stay here in my chest, waiting for the right time.
Chapter 3
Sawyer
Knox still hasn’t said a word to me. He’s barely even looked in my direction since that first glance. It’s fine. Not like I have much to say to him either.
Once we’re through the gates, wristbands secure and the whole day ahead of us, my shoulders soften noticeably. I didn’t even realize how tense they were.
I breathe in the distinct smells of Wonder World, letting myself relax further. Coconut-scented sunscreen and churros and hot pavement. Burned sugar from the candy apple stand mixed with chlorine from the water park next door. It’s the same smells from my childhood. If I close my eyes, I can envision clutching my father’s hand while Knox and Owen race ahead to see who can reach the rides first.
That was back when our families arrived at the same time, lingering at the entrance, our mothers fussing over our sunhats and double knotting our shoes while our fathers did their best job at riling us up. I used to think they enjoyed the park more than we did. Maybe one day, if they’re ever in the same room together again, I’ll have the opportunity to ask them.
“You okay?” Ella asks.
I nod, even though I’m not sure how I feel. Nostalgia is hitting me like a ton of bricks. “Just thinking about the last time I was here.”
“Oh, has it been a long time?”
