Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry

Author:Katie McGarry [McGarry, Katie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Contemporary, Class Differences, Social Themes, Physical & Emotional Abuse, Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 9781250193872
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Published: 2019-01-22T08:00:00+00:00

JESSE

“Jesse.” The voice sounds far away, in a tunnel, but it’s urgent. My sleep was heavy, deep, and every inhale was of honeysuckle—of Scarlett. I don’t want to wake up, but there’s a warning siren screaming at me to wake up.

“Jesse.” The voice again. “It’s four in the morning. Scarlett should go.”

My eyes snap open, and I glance at the beauty sound asleep in my arms. Scarlett’s completely out, peaceful, and I hate that I had fallen asleep and missed seeing her like this.

I rub my eyes and look over at the form standing in my doorway. It’s V, giving us space by not walking in, but she wouldn’t be waking me if she wasn’t concerned.

“There are lights on in her house. I may not have a normal family, but I watch enough TV to know that lights on in a fancy house and a girl who snuck out a few hours ago is bad.”

Crap. “Give me a sec.”

V leaves, and I shift so I can touch Scarlett’s face. “Scarlett.”

She stirs, but she doesn’t wake. I run my hand through her hair and try again. “Tink.”

Her eyelids flutter open, and the edges of her lips tug up. “I was dreaming of you.”

Best words I’ve ever heard, but . . . “You need to go home.”

Realization strikes her like a lightning bolt, and she jumps out of bed. “What time is it?”

“Four. V came in because she said there are lights on in your house.”

“Four?” She starts to shake. “Oh my God. What if they know? What am I going to do?”

“Don’t panic. The lights on could be unrelated.” I swing my legs off the bed and stand ignoring how the room sways. I guess there’s still some alcohol in my system. “I’ll walk you home.”

“N . . . no, please don’t,” Scarlett blurts out, and the fear on her face causes a rumble of concern. “I can get myself home.”

“I’ve walked you home before.”

“Yes, but what if Dad is up and he’s waiting for me and he sees me with you and . . .” she trails off as I watch her, wishing I could somehow crawl into her brain and understand what’s going on in her world.

If her dad is watching, he’ll see her leaving here. Me being with her won’t change that trouble is trouble, but I respect her and her decisions. I gently take Scarlett’s hand because this is not how I want her to leave after laying with me in my bed. “It’s okay. Someone probably forgot to turn off a light before going to bed. The light on doesn’t mean anything.”

“You promised we’d stay friends.” Scarlett searches my eyes, and I hate how she’s pulling away.

There’s a sinking in my gut because I want more than friends, but I’ll take her in any capacity I can get her. “Whatever you need.”

“Then we’re friends.” And with that, she grabs the book and leaves.

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