He stares at me like he sees a ghost or something. He doesn’t move anymore, like the sight of me halts his footsteps. Mars shoves his body between us.

  “Dad, back off,” he says through clenched teeth.

  “What the hell?” His dad mumbles the words but I hear them. I expect him to fly off the handle. I’m ready for chaos to ensue, but it never happens. Mars’s dad is stuck. He blinks his green eyes at me then Mars.

  “I-I gotta go. I gotta get the fuck out of here. I want her—whoever she is—out of my house when I get back, Mars!” Each hurried step he takes makes the floor tremble until he’s out of the front door.

  It’s not until Mars hears his dad’s car start outside that his shoulders relax. “What the fuck was that?” He says it more to himself than to me.

  “Your dad is so charming,” I scoff, rolling my eyes.

  “Did he seem spooked to you?” Mars turns his blue eyes toward me.

  “He definitely did.” Silence swells between us but then Mars speaks.

  “I’m sorry you had to see that, Sage.” He slides his fingers through his hair as if it will ever obey him. I walk over, erasing the distance between us. I need to touch him. My head is clear when I’m near him.

  He’s so tall I have to stand on my tiptoes to look at him. I wrap my arms around his neck and stare into those denim blue eyes. “You don’t have anything to apologize for.” I rub the tip of my nose against his and he slides his strong arms around my waist. “You’re not him, Mars. You’re not your mom or the people in this town either. You’re like me. We’re different. We’re not a part of all the bullshit in our lives. Somehow, we manage to hover above it and not get sucked in.”

  “Like dragonflies,” he says quietly.

  “Like dragonflies,” I agree. The moment is so intense that if I don’t feel my lips against his I’ll explode. I crash against his mouth and his grip tightens on me like if he doesn’t hold on to me, I’ll float away into space. The embrace feels good though. Being anchored to something real feels good.

  “I don’t deserve you, Sage.” His words are quiet and they squeeze my heart until blood roars through my veins.

  “You do. You deserve everything good,” I say. I touch the side of his face and ache at the pain in his eyes. It shouldn’t be there. I miss the light I see in his blue pools when he laughs. “What you don’t deserve is for your dad to treat you like that.”

  “There’s nothing I can do about it until I’m done with school and get away from Duncan.” He pauses a beat then looks at me. So much is running through his mind and I can almost see it. “I want you to come with me.”

  I think of getting away from Ashton Hills, away from Mom, and all the other phony people, and I buzz with anticipation. “Of course,” I breathe. Mars gives a stern nod and we finally break our embrace.

  “I don’t know when he’ll be back so I’m gonna take you home.” I don’t want to go. I don’t want to leave Mars alone with that bully. They may have looked alike but that was where the similarities ended.

  “Okay, but I want to take the scenic route.” I think of our first night under the stars and my fingertips tingle. Even though he’s tense and brooding, he manages to smile a little.

  My sweet Mars.

  “Deal.” He kisses the top of my head and then he grabs my things. After I’m dressed, I spot Mars’s NASA hoodie draped over the back of a chair. I grab it and pull it on over my head. It smells like him. I pull the neck of the hoodie up over my nose and breathe in the scent that makes me feel safe and warm.

  “Are you stealing my hoodie?” He chuckles and a chunk of ice thaws from the guard he has up.

  “Maybe.” I shrug. I push my hands through the sleeves and the soft fabric bunches around my wrists. I’m swimming in this thing but I don’t care. It reminds me of Mars and I’ll never take it off.

  “You’re lucky you’re cute, Sage, or else you’d see what I do to thieves,” he says, flashing a wolfish grin and my thighs press together involuntarily.

  “Since I’m cute, I get off the hook?” I quiz. He yanks me against his body and tips my head back, exposing my tender throat.

  “Not exactly.” He slides a finger down the curve of my neck and I shudder in his arms. His tongue follows his touch, then he dots kisses up and down my skin, making me burn with desire. “You have no idea how bad I want to mark your sweet neck again.” His voice is a primal growl that makes my belly clench.

  “I want you to.” My voice comes out sultry and it makes him grip me tighter. His teeth scrape my throat sending a flash of pain zipping through my body, but Mars soothes it away with his tongue in the next moment.

  When he pulls away, I’m nearly stunned by his absence. I want more of him. I want more of his mouth on me. My heart is beating in the roof of my mouth. I stare at him and he sighs, clearly torn.

  “Let’s go before my dad comes back.” He says the words like speaking about his father turns his mouth sour. I know the feeling.

  We head outside and climb into The Beast. I slide next to Mars and his hand finds my thigh once our seat belts are on. The engine rumbles to life, but then it cuts off, and Mars bangs his hand against the steering wheel. Tension pours from him in waves and I rub his back to calm him down.

  When he starts the engine a second time, it groans to life. He gives it some gas and The Beast sounds like itself again. We drive down a stretch of country road until cornfields come into view.

  Mars’s grip tightens around the steering wheel and his jaw flexes. I know he needs to clear his head. “Hey, why don’t we go to your favorite spot?” I suggest, slipping my fingers through his dark hair.

  When I look at him like this, through the slivers of light cast by the moon, I can see all the agony he hides. He’s not hiding behind big smiles and smart quips. Now he’s showing the barest parts of himself, and I still can’t see anything but my sweet Mars.

  Without a word, he turns off of the country road and onto the dirt road where he first let me drive The Beast. We drive for a few minutes until we come to a clearing, then he kills the engine. The Beast shuts off with a heavy sigh, almost like he was ready for a rest anyway.

  We climb in the back and Mars stretches out blankets for us to lie on. It’s chilly outside tonight but not frigid. I snuggle close to him and he tosses an arm around me.

  “You’re brooding,” I point out, poking his side.

  “I know. I’m sorry. I can’t stop thinking about the look in his eyes when he saw you. I also can’t stop thinking about the fact you had to see him like that.” Mars’s fingers dance up and down my back while he talks.

  “You gave me fair warning that your dad was a mean drunk. I just didn’t know I’d meet him tonight.”

  “Speaking of things we didn’t know would happen tonight,” he says and tugs on my hair until my chin is pointing toward the sky. “You were a firecracker when Dad broke into my room.” I love the smile on his face. He’s starting to let his icy guard down.

  “I told you, there’s something about you that makes me bold.”

  “I like it. I’ve never had anyone stand up for me before. Never had anyone who thought I was worth standing up for.”

  I turn his head so that he’s facing me and not the stars, then I say, “You’re worth it to me. Always.” My heart is racing and warmth I can’t explain is winding around me like a vine, taking over me inch by inch.

  I realize I’ve never cared about anyone the way I care about Mars. The realization pushes my lips toward his, until our tongues are dancing. He pulls my bottom lip into his mouth and presses down with his teeth. I moan against his mouth.

  When we roll over, he’s on top of me and I can feel his stiff cock through his jeans. Wetness pools between my thighs at the thought of feeling him inside of me. He presses against me and I gasp at the power behind that one simple motion.

  “Fuck, Sage. I want you so bad.” He pulls away enough to peer into my eyes. He makes me dizzy and hot and so many other things that my mind can barely focus.

  “I want you too,” I tell him in between shallow breaths.

  “If I don’t stop myself now, I’ll never get you home. I could spend all night out here with you.” His kisses set fire to my insides and I squirm beneath him.

  I only agree because I don’t want him to get in trouble with his dad. If I had my way, I’d spend all night out here with him too.

  Mars slides in the driver’s seat and I sit right beside him, our thighs pressed against each other. When he turns the key in the engine, The Beast makes a weird noise followed by clicking. I know it’s something bad because Mars lets loose a string of curse words under his breath.

  He tries the engine again and again but the same thing happens. A weird noise followed by clicking.

  “Fuck,” he snaps. “The alternator is gone.”

  “So it won’t start at all?”

  “No. I need a new one, and I knew that, but I was hoping it would hold off until I saved up enough to get an alternator and a battery. Fuck. Now I don’t know how I’m gonna get you home.”

  “Mars, I told my parents I was staying at a friend’s house, remember? We can camp out right here and figure it out in the morning.” I slide my fingers between his and give his hand a squeeze.

  “I still need to tell my dad something,” he groans.

  “Tell him you broke down and you’re crashing on someone’s couch. Someone who will cover for you.” He looks in my eyes and his expression softens a little.

  “Collette.” He nods, then pulls his phone from his pocket and fires off a text. He texts Collette for a few minutes then turns to me. “She’ll cover for me if he asks any questions.”

  “See? No worries.”

  “There’s still the matter of me getting car parts and you getting home safely.” His dark brows furl together and I push out a soft sigh. I climb in his lap, straddling him, then I sandwich his face between my palms.

  “Look.” I reach over to my bag and pull out my phone.

  “I thought your mom took it from you,” Mars inquires.

  “She did. Dad convinced her to give it back when I told her I was going to spend the night at my friend’s house. You know, for emergencies. I can call an Uber in the morning.” I tilt my head to the side a little and say, “I can call you one too, if you want.”

  “Nah, I’ll ask someone for a ride,” he says, squeezing my ass in his hands. “Right now, I’m just going to enjoy being with my girl under the stars.” We share a slow kiss.

  “Can we go back to laying in the back of the truck? The stars look so beautiful.”

  “No matter how beautiful they are, they’ll never shine like you.” My breath hitches when he kisses my forehead. “You’re blushing.” He chuckles then touches the tops of my ears. I slap his hand away playfully before burying my face in the crook of his neck.

  We camp out in the back of The Beast, making out and talking all night, until exhaustion carries both of us off to sleep.

  Mars

  Anxiety swells up inside me the moment Sage’s Uber drives off in one direction, while Linus and I drive in the other. He’s the only tow truck driver in Duncan and thankfully said he’d come pick up The Beast. I’ve helped him clean up his yard before, since he’s a good friend of Dad’s. Sometimes it pays to be a “good ‘ol boy.” Especially when said “good ‘ol boy” is poor as fuck and needs a favor in return.

  “Who’s the girl?” he says once we’re cruising along the highway.

  “Sage Emerson. She’s my girlfriend.”

  He grins at me. “Pretty hot in a nerdy kind of way.”

  I force a smile at him. While he rambles on about how business is slow lately, my mind is elsewhere. I’m worried about my damn truck being broken. How will I see Sage? How will I get to school and work? He talks the entire way to my trailer. My truck gets unloaded in front of our lot and then with a slap on my shoulder, Linus leaves.

  Fuck.

  I’ve never felt so helpless and stranded.

  My phone buzzes in my pocket and I pull it out before heading inside.

  Sage: I’m home.

  Me: Me too.

  Sage: I miss you already.

  Me: I miss you more.

  Sage: My mom is forcing me to go shopping and then to dinner with her and Dad. Tomorrow they’re going to a function at my dad’s work. I got out of it because I have to “study.” Want to come over?

  My car is broken and I have no way of fixing it.

  Me: I’ll be there. Text me the time.

  I don’t care if I have to start walking now in order to get there in time.

  Sage: I’ll call you later when I can.

  Me: Try not to have too much fun without me.

  She sends me a bunch of eye roll emojis that have me chuckling. My laughter dies though when the front door opens and Dad glowers at me from behind the glass storm door. His eyes dart to my truck, as though he’s looking for something, and then he disappears inside. With a sigh, I head into the trailer. As soon as the door closes behind me, the air feels so thick with tension you could cut it with a knife.

  “Where’s the girl?” he asks, his voice deceptively calm.

  “Home.”

  “I don’t want you seeing her.”

  Normally, I cower under my dad. Not today. Rage bubbles up inside of me and I fist my hands as I try to keep it at bay. My jaw clenches. Words I desperately want to yell at him stay stuck behind my gritted teeth.

  “I’m serious,” he growls, crossing his arms over his chest.

  “Dad,” I say, keeping my tone calm. “Please don’t go there.”

  “Girls like her fuck guys like us because we’re interesting. We’re dangerous. Fucking hot for the moment. Girls like her bail when the going gets tough. They move on to better men.”

  My nostrils flare. “Sage isn’t going anywhere.”

  “Boy,” he snaps, taking a threatening step toward me. “I’m your old man and I know what the hell I’m talking about. I’ve been around the block a few times, where you’ve barely gotten out of the driveway. Unless you’re looking to make a repeat of my life, stay the fuck away from that girl.” His lip curls up in disgust. “She will ruin your life. Mark my words.”

  I grind my teeth so hard they’re surely going to turn to dust. “Understood, sir.”

  He heads to the kitchen to rummage around for a bottle and I make my escape to my bedroom. Her scent still lingers. I could fucking scream at the injustice of my world.

  I just want to catch a break.

  I want to date the girl of my dreams without every goddamn force of nature trying to keep us apart.

  Kicking off my shoes, I crawl into my bed and bury my face in the pillow that still smells like Sage. I’m just drifting off when my phone buzzes with a picture.

  God, she’s so beautiful.

  Her green eyes shine brightly as she grins shyly behind her knuckle at her lips.

  She’s worth all the stress.

  I’ll keep trucking through his muck to get to her every time.

  Every single time.

  Sage: They’re gone.

  I’ve been circling her neighborhood in my aunt Darcy’s car for the past half hour, waiting for them to leave. Now, I get to see my girl. I haul ass to her house and before I even have the car in park, Sage emerges from the house.

  My jaw unhinges because…fuck, she’s hot.

  She’s wearing a cute skirt and a white button-up shirt. All the pale creamy flesh on her legs is on display. The furry slipper boots don’t go with the outfit at all, but that’s what I love most about it. About her. She’s random, but incredibly adorable about it.

  “You got me presents?” I ask, cocking my head to the side as I inspect the two wrapped gifts she seems to be struggling to hold.

  She bites on her bottom lip and holds them out to me. “You have to be careful. They’re really heavy.”

  I take the presents and they are heavy. Setting them on the hood of Darcy’s car, I shoot Sage a questioning look.

  “They’re really weird gifts—and I know you’re probably going to be mad—but please, just accept them.”

  I unwrap them and open each box, my stomach hollowing out when I discover what each gift is. Heat burns up my neck and settles on my cheeks. Shame infects my every vein. I’m reminded of who she is versus who I am. Two opposite sides of a coin. The rich girl and the poor boy.

  “Mars,” she whispers, hugging me from behind. “Please don’t be like that.”

  I’m stiff as I stare at the battery in one box and new alternator sitting in the other. “I can’t accept this,” I say gruffly.

  She turns me until we’re facing each other. Her eyes are watery and her bottom lip trembles. “I want to see you and this is something standing in our way.”

  “It’s too much. Too expensive, Sage.”

  Her nostrils flare and she tilts her head up, her expression turning fierce. “So? You’re worth it. Would you do the same for me if the tables were turned?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Then why is it so bad for me to give you something?”

  “It’s embarrassing,” I admit in a whisper.

  She stands on her toes and kisses my lips. “We’re partners, remember? How will we ever be anything if we can’t help each other when we can? I want to help you just like I know you want to do the same.”

  A shiver runs through her and I hug her to me. “Thanks, partner.”

  She giggles. “That’s better. You’re welcome. Now don’t ask me how they go in your truck. All I did was Google The Beast’s make and model and then went down to the auto parts store this morning. I don’t know how to put them in.”

  I lift a brow. “Your dad took you to buy parts for a car you don’t have?”

  Her smile grows wicked. “Someone taught me how to drive. So I just borrowed my dad’s car and took my own self.”

  “Look at you spreading those wings, butterfly.”

  “Dragonfly,” she corrects, her smile widening.

  I pull away to stash the car parts and wrapping paper in the back seat. Then, I hold my hand out to her. “You’re really something, you know that?”

 

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