Fighting for Flight JB Salsbury (room on the broom read aloud .TXT) 📖

Her? Her who? I didn’t run to anyone. I’m right here with you.”

I brave a touch and wrap my hand around the nape of her neck. Bending down so she can look in my eyes, I flex my fingers into her skin. “Raven, look at me.”

Her eyes come to mine. The brokenness of her past shines through their aquamarine depths.

“I love you. You’re the only girl I ever want to run to.”

Her eyes narrow, but this time not in anger. This looks more like confusion. “But . . . I saw you. You were there at her club. I saw your truck outside in the lot.”

Shit. I study my feet, but keep hold of her neck. She knows I was at Zeus’s. She thinks I ran to Candy because of everything that happened with Dominick.

It upsets me that she doesn’t believe my feelings for her are stronger than what Dominick has planned. But I know that’s not what made her believe I would run to Candy so easily. Her lack of self-worth is ingrained. My hate for her parents festers and spreads.

I’ll explain, get on my knees and beg if that’s what it takes for her to understand. I’d do anything if it means I get to keep the lost girl I hold in my hand.

“I was at Zeus’s Playground tonight, but it wasn’t for the reason you think.”

Her face is still hard, but the muscles in her neck relax a fraction.

“Blake and I had a meeting there.” I pause a second to make sure she’s still with me. “We met with Dominick.”

“Jonah, why?” She steps close and grabs the wrist of the arm that’s holding her. “He could have hurt you. Are you okay?” She runs her hands over my chest, arms and up to my shoulders, searching for physical damage.

My skin tingles at the touch I was afraid I might never feel again. I take advantage and wrap my arms around her waist to pull her closer.

“Yeah, I’m fine, but can we talk about this inside?” I look up towards Raven’s studio and picture trying to cram myself into her bed. Nope, not happening. “Or better yet, can I take you home now? I’ll explain everything there.”

Her eyes drop to her feet, and she sucks her bottom lip into her mouth.

Please say yes.

She sniffs and wipes the tears from her cheeks. “Okay.”

I exhale the breath I was holding and pull her into a deep hug. Placing a quick kiss on her head, and inhaling the smell of her hair, my heart slows its frantic pace.

Not wanting to let her out of my sight, I walk her to the passenger side of the truck and usher her in. Then I snag her backpack from her car, shut and lock her doors.

The ride to my house is silent. I notice Raven still looks confused, and I grab her hand to rest on my thigh. Her expression softens as I gently run my thumb along the smooth skin of her wrist.

Once home, I open her door and help her out. I swing my arm over her shoulder and she leans into my touch. From my garage, we walk up to the house side by side. I tell myself to give her some space, but I’m not ready to let go of the comfort her body gives mine.

Settling on the living room couch, I bring her a glass of water and sit next to her. She’s turned toward me with her legs bent, knees to chest, arms wrapped around her shins.

I run a hand through my hair. “I’m sorry I lied to you. I was afraid if I told you the truth you’d worry or try to talk me out of it. After seeing you yesterday and last night,” my jaw involuntarily tightens at the memory of her hurting, “I had to do something. I had to try.”

She nods, but remains silent.

I tell Raven about the meeting, careful to expose every detail. When I finish, she stares past me, as if she’s seeking counsel with some unseen force just over my shoulder. I allow the silence and give her time to process all the information.

“So, you’re going to lose your fight? On purpose?”

“Yes.”

“But . . . you’ve been waiting so long for this fight. How can you give it up so easily?”

“Simple. I’ve been waiting longer for you.”

The best thing that ever happened to me shows up in coveralls and a pair of Chucks when I least expect it. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her.

I lean forward and un-wrap her arms from her knees. Holding her hands, I press them to my chest. “You feel that? Every beat pounding away? You do that to me.” I want to groan. I’m so frustrated. How can I get her to understand how much she means to me? I squeeze her hands. “You’re part of me now. I’d do anything for you. I’ll fight for your life as I’d fight for my own.”

Wonder colors her face. She throws her body into mine and tucks in tight on my lap. I wrap her up in my arms and hold on. I almost lost her.

“I’m so sorry, Jonah. Please forgive me. I had no idea. I thought you had lied about the meeting and that you were leaving me. I heard you and Owen talking about you breaking up with me, and I thought it was because—”

“Hold on.” I lean away to look in her eyes. “I never told Owen I was breaking up with you. Where did you hear that?”

“You guys were talking when I woke up.” Her gaze swings toward the kitchen then back to mine. “I heard you.”

I think back to the conversation and start to laugh. Raven wrinkles her nose, which makes me laugh harder.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Baby, we weren’t talking about me breaking up with you. We were talking about my plan to meet Dominick. I knew I was going to have to lie to you about it. Owen wasn’t