Page 100 of Let the Light Shine Through

She snorts. “Not Kori.”

“Not Kori,” I repeat, hopping up onto my open tailgate.

“Why didn’t you go for her?”

I hold my hand out, telling her, “I came here with you, I’m leaving with you.”

“I would’ve left with you even if you fucked her.”

My eyes hold hers for a beat.

“Yeah? I thought you were glad to be rid of me.”

She flinches, putting her hand in mine, and with a small voice says, “I could never.”

Never what? Be rid of me? Or be happy about it?

Using both hands, I help pull her up until she’s standing next to me. Neither of us moves at first as we take in the view, then I step behind her, telling her to close her eyes.

“No.”

“Why not? You don’t trust me?”

“Up here? After the day we had? No.” She laughs.

“I won’t hurt you. I promise.”

“Roz—”

“Just close your eyes.”

I can tell the moment she does because her shoulders rise an inch, like she’s preparing her body in case I do push her.

Fitting my hands to hers, I lift all four out to our sides, like wings.

“Open your eyes,” I whisper, “we’re flying.”

Thankfully the storm is long gone, the sticky veil of humidity along with it, leaving behind a fairly mild night with only a puff of occasional wind.

Up here, above it all, we’ve got the perfect bird’s-eye view. There’s not a ton of light, save for the moon and the twinkling stars in the sky overhead, but it’s enough to see the highlighted treetops spread out below us. Just under them is a hidden playground full of critters providing the night’s soundtrack even though we can’t see them.

Gia’s back expands against my chest, and when she talks, her voice quivers.

“Do you know what a failing star is, Roz?”

I shake my head, my arms going slack momentarily. Is she really gonna try this shit again? Here? Now?

“It’s not what it sounds like. Not in a bad way anyway. It’s a star that’s too big, so it becomes a dwarf planet.”

Okay. That sounds a lot better than she made it seem originally. But we both said some fucked-up things to each other.

“Some failed stars explode in a supernova, leaving behind a black hole.”

That part doesn’t sound good though. What’s she doing?

“Black holes have so much gravity, that nothing can get out, not even light.”

“Is that what you think of me?”