Kai
I wander outside as golden evening sunlight spills into the lemon grove. I walk toward the rock wall, breathing in citrus, my stomach twisted in knots. I feel vaguely light-headed.
Don’t overthink this, I think. Keep it simple, like you practiced.
Cole is climbing again, the setting sun catching in his dark hair and reflecting molten fire. I know better than to interrupt a climber in the middle of an ascent, so I hang back in the lemon trees and wait. I watch Cole reach for a particularly difficult pocket hold, wince, and pause mid-air. He attempts again, and this time he makes it. I watch him climb to the top and then back down.
By the time his feet are back on solid ground, his leg muscles are quivering, and he’s pulling in long, deep breaths and okay, yes, I’m distracted, but I’m also concerned. He was bashed around by a rock giant less than 24 hours ago.
“Are you sure you should be climbing after yesterday?” I ask, stepping out from the trees.
Cole glances over his shoulder, not at all startled by my presence. Like he already knew I was there. “I’m fine,” he says.
“Cole…it’s pretty obvious you’re not.”
He turns to fully face me with an exasperated sigh. “What do you want, Kai?”
Oh, if only you knew…
Focus, Kai.
“I want my friend back.” I force the words out. “I’m sorry it’s so weird between us. And I’m sorry again for kissing you and then being a dick about it. And if you wanna talk about it, or—you know!...not talk about it. We don’t have to if you don’t want. Obviously!”
I tear my hands through my hair. None of this is going as I rehearsed it. I sound idiotic.
“Look, this is totally on me,” I say. “And it’s affecting our team and missions. And I’m sorry, and I won’t be weird around you anymore, because you’re great, and yeah. That’s all—uh, you know, I wanted to say. So…”
I turn to go, face flushing to brick. That was 110% less cool and coherent than I wanted.
I’m halfway into the lemon grove when Cole’s voice stops me.
“Why’d you do it?”
I turn slowly back around, heartrate spiking. Last week, I wouldn’t have answered the question. I would’ve made a joke. Laughed it off.
But a week ago, I hadn’t yet realized I have feelings for Cole. That I want him.
“Uhm…” I rub the side of my jaw, my brain lurching over which words to say. I finally drag my eyes to Cole.
He’s standing very still, arms folded across his chest. He raises an eyebrow, waiting.
I swallow and choose the truth. “I wanted to.”
~~
for those of you who still want some lava, my new chapter is up. this one gets spicy. 🌶️
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