Through the Lens (Click Duet #1) (Bay Area Duet Series) Persephone Autumn (black authors fiction TXT) 📖

from speakers and I have zero clue as to what is playing. Our friends resumed bowling without us, presumably playing our turns when they came around.

“What?” I stumble. The question is twofold. One—did I hear him correctly? Two—is he suggesting what I think he is suggesting? That one of us moves?

“It’s something I’ve thought about for a while now. The only reason I moved away was because I had to. That’s not a sufficient enough reason for me to be there anymore.”

My mind dizzies with his confession. Part of me is ecstatic at the possibility of him moving back to Florida. Another part of me is wary. Wary things can never go back to how they were, regardless of how either of us feels.

“But how? Your job. Friends. Life,” I ramble.

His thumb strokes my lip again and he moves a breath closer. “I can do my job from anywhere. As it is, I’m almost never home. I fly somewhere new every week or two. But I’ve stockpiled and I can lessen how much I work. As well as be pickier about the shoots I do. The few friends I have there will understand. Believe me. And my life? It has never been in Cali. I may live there, but my life is here. Always has been.”

This is too much information all at once. My free hand comes up to his bicep and I brace myself against his weight. I can’t get my hopes up. Not again. Not after last time.

“I need to sit down,” I tell him.

He helps me to a seat and squats down in front of me. The look in his eyes says three words I haven’t said to another soul since he left. And right now, it is way too much.

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” he stammers.

I memorize his expression and then drop my head in my hands. “I’m thinking this is going to slay me in the end. That I’ll wither and crumble.”

His fingers play with the strands of my hair that cover my hands. It is a balm to the conflicting emotions that spiral around my heart. And I temporarily relish in the feel of such an intimate gesture.

“I won’t let that happen,” he promises.

My head jerks up. “How can you be certain? How can you make such a colossal vow?”

His eyes lock on mine, assurance backing his words. “Because it’s the only thing I’ve wanted since I was forced to leave you. Cora…” he says as he strokes a hand down the side of my face. “You are everything to me. You are the reason I breathe.”

I drop my head back into my hands, hiding my face from the world and convincing myself not to cry. After a few minutes, I inhale deeply and force myself upright. When I check the time, I realize an hour has passed and guilt washes over me at how I have abandoned my friends.

“We need to continue this conversation, but not now. Right now, I need to drink more and throw a ten-pound ball. I need to hang out with my friends. Okay?”

He nods and stands up in front of me. “Okay,” he whispers as he kisses the top of my head.

We turn back to the group and talk with everyone. The night has morphed into an awkward ball of tension. No one is sure how they should act or what to say. But I do my best to ignore the weirdness and continue bowling and drinking.

But when the night ends, everyone is quick to leave. Too quick. And, unfortunate for me, I am too inebriated to drive and Gavin is the only person standing beside me.

Fuck. My. Life.

Chapter Fourteen

Gavin

Since I took an Uber to the bowling alley, I assumed I would leave with Micah. Assumed he and I would hang after. But that is not how things happened. Instead, Micah changed his shoes and headed out without a word. When I shot him a text to check on him, his response was lackluster.

Micah: We’ll catch up another time bro.

Lame. But after the whole debacle in the bowling alley, I don’t blame him. And I am a shitty friend for ignoring him most of the night. Something I need to correct. But not now.

Because now I am driving Cora’s car and following her slurred directions. Toward her house. Just me and her. Alone. And my nerves zap like live wires.

Not so sure this is the best idea. But there was no way in hell I would let her get behind the wheel when she consumed close to a pitcher of beer after our talk. Erin or Shelly could have driven her home, but then she would have had to worry about her car tomorrow.

It is easier for me to drop her home and catch an Uber back to the hotel. To make sure she gets home safely. To make sure she gets inside and locks the door. At least that is what I keep telling myself.

She slurs from the passenger seat as she points like a madwoman at the exit sign. “Take exit Drew. Snot so much traffic,” she snorts. “I said snot.”

I shake my head and laugh at her. The last time I saw her, we were too young to drink. Not that age stops people from drinking alcohol, but we didn’t back then. Seeing her like this, I’m not quite sure how I feel about it.

Is this a normal thing for her? Going out with her friends and getting hammered. Does she drink heavily and drive after? Does she get wasted with that Jonas prick around? My blood boils at the idea. Has he tried to make a move on her while she was tipsy or drunk?

Fuck.

Just the thought of her with another guy pisses me off. Not like I expected her to not move on or see other people after everything. Hell, I did my best to soothe my crippled heart. Had meaningless sex with countless women. Tried to date. None of it