Fall Back Skyward (Fall Back #1)(34)

Did I imagine that touch?

I glance down and see that his hand is curled into a fist at his side. He sits up, then turns slightly to the side to face me. His face is framed in shadows so I can’t see it clearly. A shiver skitters down my back as he leans forward without warning until I feel his quick breath fan my lips, his eyes on my mouth the entire time. He takes a tendril of the hair fanned around my head and rubs it between his fingers, his eyes not leaving mine. I’m captivated by his eyes, his overwhelming presence. I should scold him for being too forward and getting into my space, but I can’t. I’m mesmerized by the inhales and exhales passing through his parted lips.

He lets go of my hair and climbs to his feet with the agility and swiftness of a panther. Between one breath and the next, he’s gone, disappearing into the night as quietly as he came. Taking with him a tiny piece of my heart. As odd as it sounds, I feel a certain connection to this quiet boy.

I attempt to prop my upper body on my elbows so I can watch him as he walks back to his house, but they feel too jelly-like. I settle back on the roof, grinning and listening to the muffled crunch of his shoes on the grass until it fades.





IT HAS BEEN THREE DAYS since I first joined Nor on the roof. I’ve been going every night ever since.

I step from the bathroom, while ruffling my wet hair with one hand and head to my room. After grabbing a T-shirt from the dresser, I slip it on and stride to the window. I’d never given star-gazing a thought until after the night I lay next to Nor on the roof of her house. It was an eye-opening moment, especially when I took a chance to touch her. I wanted to see if that connection between us was still there. I wasn’t disappointed. Now, I can’t seem to stop invading her space every night.

It’s almost ten o’clock. My breath catches every few seconds, knowing I’ll see her soon. This reaction has become like a natural reflex. I still have to work up the nerve to talk to her, something I haven’t done since that day in St. Christopher’s. I need to feel her fingers shake again when mine brush against hers. It feels damn good, knowing I can do that to her with just a simple touch.

The lights flicker a few times, alerting me that someone is on the other side of the door. I glance around quickly to make sure everything is in its place, but realize my porn stash which is overdue for returning at the video library, peeks from under the sketch book. I lunge forward, grab it and shove it inside the drawer.

“Come in,” I say, combing my hair with my fingers.

Mom ducks her head around the door and smiles. Her eyebrows rise as she takes me in before signing, “Hot date tonight?”

I roll my eyes, fighting a smile.

Before I can answer her, she continues, “You like her don’t you? She’s pretty. Very pretty.”

“How can I like her when I don’t even know her?”

Mom folds her arms on her chest. “You know her.”

“Know who?” My father’s tall, bulky frame enters the room, his fingers signing the words. His gray eyes twinkle and I know he is ready to launch into some sort of advice-rant, like he usually does, when he corners Josh. “The girl next door?”

Mom nods. They exchange a look then turn to me and I know they’ve been talking about my sudden interest in Nor.

I pull my hands from my pockets. “You have got this all wrong. It is just--”

“Honey?” Mom cuts me off. “Go and have fun.”

I scratch my head and give up on convincing them. Dad slides his arm around my mom’s shoulder and swivels her around while kissing the top of her head before tugging her out of the room. I stare at the door for a few seconds after they’ve gone realizing I’ve never seen my parents act any other way. It’s always appeared as if they can’t get enough of each other.

I hope I’ll have that one day.

I sneak another look out the window just in time to see Nor duck her head out the window, look at the skies and then disappear back inside the room. The clouds hang low in the sky today. There’s no chance they will clear soon. I stride out of my room, down the stairs and step out into the humid air. A soft breeze sweeps across my face, bringing with it the scent of rain.

I jog across the lawn, do my usual hop over the fence routine, and jog up the porch steps. I take quick breaths to calm my racing heart, and then ring the bell. The door opens a few moments later and the air stalls in my lungs as I stare into brown eyes set in a scowling face. Eyes that belong to Nor’s father. His mouth tightens, forming a white line. His hand on the door frame flexes as if he’s fighting to rid himself of a wild emotion. I’m suddenly reminded of the look on his face when he saw me the day they moved in.

Shit. I don’t even know what I did to deserve his anger. Maybe he didn’t like the way I was staring at Nor the day they moved in. He must think I’m creepy.

“Good evening, Sir,” I say, hoping my voice and my face reflect confidence, because it sure as shit isn’t what I’m feeling right now.

“What do you want?” His mouth forms a sneer. Maybe this is his normal disposition.

“Can I talk to Eleanor for a minute? I realize it’s late but I need to talk to her for a few seconds.”

His hand drops from the door frame, and he steps forward. Nothing about his posture yells ‘friendly’. I should move, but my feet feel like lead.

His mouth twists into an ugly scowl and I have to try harder than normal to read his lips. “Stay away from my daughter. She doesn’t need the likes of you ruining her life.”