Fighting to Breathe (Shooting Stars 1)

“You know it’s been coming to an end for a while.”

“Interesting,” he mutters, and I raise a brow, indicating for him to continue. “Nothing, Wolf.” He shakes his head, smirking. I know what he’s thinking, only he’s wrong. Lea and I aren’t kids anymore, and the only thing I have to offer her is friendship.

*

Lea

I look around Ben and Rhonda’s backyard and force a smile at yet another person as they walk past me into the house. Since showing up here an hour ago, I’ve received a lot of looks—most of them pity. I’ve also received a lot of smiles—most of them just as fake as the ones I was giving.

Growing up in this town held its benefits. The community was close-knit, everyone knew everyone, and if there ever came a time you needed something, there was always someone around to help you out. The thing that made this town special was the thing that was working against me now: everyone knew Austin. He was well liked, and so was his family. I knew people spoke about me leaving, that they probably knew about Austin and my history, and more than likely, they hated me just as much as he did.

“I’m sorry about your mom.” I turn my head and look up at Ben, who is holding a beer in his hand. “And I’m sorry about the way I spoke to you.”

“Thank you, and it’s okay,” I tell him, but my insides get tight.

“How are you holding up?” He asks folding his large body into the chair next to mine.

I give him a shaky smile and shrug; I’m not sure how to answer that. Right now, I’m doing okay. Later tonight, when I crawl into bed and my brain has a chance to take over, that will be a different story. “Okay, I guess.”

“You don’t seem okay to me.”

“I’m working on it.” I say truthfully. I am working on being okay. I want to give my mom what she wants. I want her to see me happy; she deserves that much.

“Why aren’t you inside?” he questions putting his beer to his mouth and tilting it back.

Because Austin’s inside, I think.

I knew that Austin—being Ben’s best friend—would be here today, but just like every other time I’ve seen him, nothing could prepare me for actually being in his presence. I expected him to glare at me when our eyes connected as I walked into the house, carrying Rhonda’s gift, but instead, he surprised me by taking the large package from my arms and giving me a smile. That’s when I figured out what he was doing. He was being nice, because people were around, but that didn’t mean his smile didn’t do something to my insides, causing them to light up.

“I like the fresh air,” I say then smile a real smile when a little girl runs by, followed by a boy with something in his hand that has her screaming loudly to stay away from her. “Why are you out here?” I ask, looking at him.

“I wanted to come check on you.” He must read the disbelief on my face, because he sits back in his chair and runs a hand over the top of his head, and then his mouth moves to say something, when he’s cut off.

“Want another beer?” I pull my eyes from Ben to look at Austin, who’s standing in the doorway of the back deck, with his hands on either side of the frame, causing his shirt to pull tight across his broad chest.

“Nah, man. I’m good,” Ben says, and then Austin’s gaze comes to me, so I sit up a little taller, just in case he delivers another blow like the one the other night.

“You want some more wine?” he asks, dipping his head towards the table, where my wine glass sits empty.

“Um…” I blink, because he’s talking to me and there is no anger, no emotion in his eyes.

“Babe,” he calls, and I blink again.

“No.” I clear my throat. “Thank you, but I have to drive mom home later.”

“I can give you a ride,” he offers and I feel my jaw drop open.

“Pardon?” I finally get out when I find my voice.

“If you want to have another glass, I can give you a ride.”

“No, but thank you.” I smile and his eyes drop to my mouth, and that’s when I see anger, only I’m confused by what caused it.

“Rhonda wants to open gifts. You two should come in.” He pushes off the doorjamb then turns, disappearing from sight, leaving me confused by what just happened.

“This should be interesting,” Ben mutters from my side, and I swing my eyes from the door to him.

“What should be interesting?” I ask as a sinking feeling settles in my gut.

“Stick around long enough and I’m sure you’ll find out.” He tilts back his beer, finishing it off, then stands, and without giving me a choice, he pulls me up from the chair I was sitting on and drags me inside to sit on the couch with Austin, where I attempt to watch Rhonda open her gifts. I fail miserably, because Austin is close enough that his scent seeps into my pores and his warmth radiates into my side.

“Your cheeks look a little flushed,” my mom says, tilting her head to look at me as she hands me a piece of cake, then takes a seat next to me.

“It’s hot in here,” I explain, ignoring Austin, who’s still sitting next to me, but now he’s closer because I had to make room for my mom to sit.

“Are you feeling okay?” Austin asks, and I turn my head to look at him, then my lips part as his hand comes up to press against my forehead, causing tingles to shoot through me.

“I’m fine,” I assure him, leaning away from his touch.

“You’re burning up.” He frowns, causing a crease to form between his brows that my fingers itch to smooth out.

“I’m not.” I place a hand on my cheek, feeling heat warm my palm. “Okay, maybe I’m a little warm.”

“You need to leave,” He growls, and tears sting my nose at his harsh tone. I didn’t know I was sick when I came here today, and I sure as hell didn’t come here sick on purpose.

“Come on.” He takes my hand and pulls me up from the couch. I want to kick him in the shin, but I don’t, because there are people watching us. So I allow him to tug me towards the front of the house, jerking from his hold when we reach the front door. “Josie, you can stay if you like, but Lea needs to leave.” Austin tells my mom as she walks out of the kitchen,

Oh, my God, he is such a fricking asshole! I’m sick, but it’s not like I have Ebola! I swear, if there weren’t people around, I would lay him out.

“Do you want me to come with you, honey?”

My mom’s softly spoken question cuts through some of the anger in me, and I shake my head before saying, “No, stay. I know you’ve been looking forward to this.”

“Are you sure?” She asks searching my face like I’m lying, which is almost comical because she is the one with months to live and yet here she is worried about me when all I probably have is a cold.

“Will you be okay here?” I ask ignoring her question.

“I’ll be fine don’t worry about me just get some sleep, I’ll get a ride home with Margret.”

“You’re sure.”