Infini (Aerial Ethereal #2)(110)

She can’t quit.

I can leave. I’ll…do something. I don’t know what. I blink a couple times, blocking out the names of my family members. Of never seeing Bay again. I crack my knuckles.

I don’t want to confront all that I’m losing.

(I’ll puke.)

Geoffrey says, “I can move Erik Kotova onto Wheel of—”

“You don’t have that authority,” Baylee interjects, and I frown. Does he?

“Shut up, and don’t interrupt me again.”

I instantly stand and step in front of Baylee.

Geoffrey laughs like it’s too late.

I don’t want to leave her in this dude’s presence. I’ll have to warn Brenden before I go. Who else? Dimitri? They’ll make sure Geoffrey doesn’t mess with her when I’m gone, right?

(What am I saying? It’s like I’m preparing for my death.) I can already feel the uncertainty tormenting me. Not knowing if she’s happy or sad. Or just doing okay. All of it. All over again.

Looking directly at me, Geoffrey says, “I’ve been given the authority to swiftly axe Brenden and Zhen’s aerial straps routine anytime I like, so yes, you better believe I have the authority to shift around artists and fire them.”

Baylee caves into herself, and I turn to comfort her— “Don’t touch.”

I freeze at his words.

“You’re going to leave separately. Luka go first—”

“No fucking way,” I actually say out loud. I think it stuns him, but I don’t drink in his expression. I crouch down to Bay, careful not to touch her like he said. I don’t toy with that risk. “Baylee. Hey, go outside. Call your brother to come get you? Can you do that?”

Brenden doesn’t have a car, but he’ll probably take a cab. I don’t want her to be alone right now, and I’m not leaving first so she’ll be alone with Geoffrey.

Baylee pinches her eyes, attempting to stop the waterworks. My gaze sears.

She curses, and she tries to stand. I know she must feel like a million pounds of sorrow, but she has to get up.

In a full minute, she rises on her own, her hand pressed to her collarbones.

“Call Brenden,” I say.

She nods once.

“Please.”

She nods again.

“Okay.” I glance back at Geoffrey, who’s watching too keenly. I hate this dude so fucking much. I try to follow her out of the vending area, but he clamps a hand on my shoulder.

He yanks me back, and I shove him off out of defense.

I lost sight of her, but I remind myself that I’ve been given a choice. To quit or to be fired. I have seven days until I decide, and that’s seven days left with Baylee.

He’s not taking that away from me.





Act Thirty-Nine

Baylee Wright



12 Days to Infini’s Premiere



Luka likes pretending that doom isn’t waiting in the horizon. For six days, I’ve done a decent job at pretending too. We sneak off together when we can. As though Geoffrey never caught us. And we try not to talk about his impending departure.

Well, he’s quitting tomorrow, and I couldn’t stomach attending an Aerial Ethereal artists banquet in the Masquerade’s ballroom tonight. Most go for the free food and booze.

But Luka gladly ditched with me.

With his suitemates at the banquet, we hang out in his kitchen. I sit on a bar stool and watch him burn my grilled cheese on a frying pan.

I’d cook, but he offered, knowing I typically smile when he always under-butters the bread and smoke billows in his face.

I haven’t smiled at all today.

Reality is too close to stealing him from me, and my heavy mood won’t rise. I slump forward, and I wonder if there’s anything more I can do to keep him here.

To extend this moment for another day.

Another lifetime.

Anything.

Luka flips the charred grilled cheese onto a paper plate, and he tosses the smoking pan into the sink. Then he slides the paper plate to me with a growing smile. “I think I could be a good cook,” he teases. “Maybe Steak ‘n Shake will hire me.”

My lips downturn. “That’s not funny.” I’d normally take a bite of the grilled cheese. He always burns the outside, but the inside is usually really good.

I can’t even bring myself to pick it up. The act feels like running five hundred miles across the globe. I groan and wipe my leaking eyes with the hem of my cotton T-shirt. I’ve been involuntary crying all day. I’m sick of tears.

I’m sick of sadness. I just want it to leave me.

And I want him to stay.

Luka skirts around the counter and comes up to me while I sit. He cups my cheeks, his palms warm against my skin, and I wrap my arms around his waist.

“I could quit first,” I say, surfacing our fate that we’ve avoided. “He said only one of us needs to, and if I quit before he can fire you, Geoffrey can’t really do anything…” I trail off as Luka shakes his head.

“No, Bay.” His brows rise. “I’m quitting tomorrow. Not you.” He kisses me lightly on the lips, as though imprinting his declaration as a promise.

A tear slides down my cheek, onto his palm. “I’m sorry.” My voice fissures.