Catch Me When I Fall (Falling Stars 2)

It was so normal.

So right.

I did my best not to search for Royce. Like a fool, wondering where he had disappeared to. If he’d stayed. If he was thinking about me the way I was thinking about him.

A little worried I was gettin’ obsessed.

But that’s what crushes did. They mashed you up inside, twisting you in a knot of attraction. Heart, mind, and body tied.

Needing a distraction, I peeked at my phone. When I saw there was a text I’d missed, I swiped the screen and entered my passcode.

My brow pulled together as my gaze moved over the message.

Confusion quickly morphed to dread.

Freezing every cell in terror.

Unknown Number: Miss me? Don’t worry, Emmy Love, it won’t be long now.To anyone else, the message would appear innocuous. Friendly, even. But I knew . . . I knew it was meant to be cruel. To insight fear. An outright threat.

My hands started to shake. A cold, clammy sweat gathered at my nape. A rush of dizziness almost canted me to the side.

I squeezed my phone.

Tight.

Maybe what I was really hoping to do was crush it. In the process, crush him.

I refused to let him taunt me. Not like this. I was stronger than this. Braver than this.

A hand landed on my shoulder.

Screeching, I jumped about ten feet in the air.

Rhys cracked up. “Emily Iris, you are the jumpiest little thing on the planet.”

Turning around to face him, I forced the wobbliest, fakest smile. “You just caught me off guard, that’s all.”

He didn’t need to know he’d almost sent me into a tailspin.

He gestured to himself. “It’s all the ninja skills.”

Melanie rolled her brown eyes, her ponytail swishing over her shoulders as she readjusted her shirt. “You’re about as inconspicuous as a stampede of bulls.”

“What are you talking about? I’m as light as a feather.” He bounced around on his toes and threw some fake jabs.

“More like an avalanche of boulders.”

“Boulders? What are you sayin’? I remind you of a set of big balls, Mells Bells? I know you love me. You can just come right out and say it. No need for innuendo.”

“Gross. Clear enough for you?”

He barked out a laugh. “Ah, you are cruel, gorgeous. Lucky for you, I’m a man who likes punishment.”

“You are incorrigible.”

“Feel free to encourage me any time.”

“Ugh,” she groaned. “Case in point. Now go put on a damn shirt, it’s about time to start letting people in.”

“Believe me, baby, they want me just like this.” Rhys rocked his hips, sweat dripping from his abdomen.

“Gross,” she said again. “And there are children out there.”

“Fine, fine.” He was grinning like mad when he pulled a fresh tee over his head, and I was just standing there, trying to hold it together. To pretend as if I was with them.

Feeling their ease and joy.

Acting like that one stupid text message didn’t have me close to falling apart.

I couldn’t let myself. Not after we’d finally gotten a glimpse of normalcy.

“You good?” Melanie asked, stumbling a little when she noticed my expression.

“Totally.”

Lies. Lies. Lies.

Maybe if I told myself enough of them, I would start to believe them myself.

She hesitated, searching my face. Finally, she conceded with a soft, concerned smile that told me she didn’t fully believe me, either, before she turned back to the rest of the group and snapped her fingers in the air. “It’s time.”

She strode out the door to give the security guard the go, and I shuffled over to where Richard and Leif had gathered by the Carolina George banner, Rhys right on my heels.

Melanie led in the first group.

It was a mother and her two young daughters. Maybe six and eight. Both of them were holding poster boards, I love you Carolina George written in glitter and stars, as bright as the stars that were shining in their eyes.

This . . . this was what made it all worth it. What made me want to fight. To stand up and be brave and bold and take a stance rather than keeping this festering secret hidden for a second longer.

I just didn’t know how I was ever going to be able to force it from my tongue.

The mother ushered her girls forward. “It’s so nice to meet you, Emily. This is Saige and Becca. They’re a little shy, but believe me, they are very excited to meet you.”

She was hovering over them, her arms stretched out like a safety net. Caring and protective and full of excitement for her children just because she knew this would make them happy.

My heart pressed full at seeing such a sweet family.

Sorrow and joy.

Sorrow and joy.

I knelt down. “Hi, there. It’s so nice to meet you.”

The youngest one stepped forward. As cute as could be, her voice tiny and musical, and a slice of pain panged in the middle of me.