I grab onto his phone like a national treasure. The first photo makes my jaw drop. It’s one of a red-headed child flipping off the person taking the photo with one metal finger. “Cute.”
“That’s Freddy.”
He knows them by name. My heart threatens to burst inside of my chest.
“May I?” I want to keep swiping through his photos and learn more about the man who hides himself away from the world.
I want to know everything.
He nods. I swipe through a set of photos featuring three other kids. Each of them have different prosthetics, with one child requiring four.
I recognize the location of one photo instantly.
“You all went to Dreamland?”
“They did.”
Huh. “Where were you?”
“Working.”
“You didn’t want to go?”
“Does it matter?”
Yes! I want to yell, but my throat dries up and I lose all capacity to speak.
The tightness in my chest intensifies, having everything to do with how he sent the kids to Dreamland together without him despite him wanting to be there.
I don’t know why it makes me sad but it does. Maybe it’s because Declan has his eyes set on a position he thinks will be the answer to everything, all while missing out on what life has to offer. And frankly, that’s no way to live.
For someone hell-bent on succeeding at everything, he truly fails at life. I want to help him realize that there is so much more to everything than merely existing. That if he spends any more years skipping out on what is truly important, he might regret it later. No. He will regret it. I can guarantee it because there will always be some new goal he thinks will fill that gaping hole in his chest. All of them will fall short. It’s a vicious cycle driven by one sad fact: he is looking for happiness in all the wrong places.
I spot all the signs I’ve become personally familiar with.
Then what are you going to do about it?
20
IRIS
H eavy rain splatters against the deck, obscuring our view of the bush.
Dark gray clouds block out any sunlight. My faith about going out on today’s safari dwindles with each drop of water splashing against the ground.
“Do you think they’ll still take us out today?” I ask, unable to stop the hope from seeping into my question.
A lightning bolt cuts through the clouds before a rumble of thunder shakes the glass.
He shakes his head. “We’re not going out in a storm like that, regardless of what they say.”
“But—”
“No.”
I huff. “It’s a summer shower. It’ll be gone before you know it.”
Lightning strikes again, filling the sky with a bright light. He shoots me a look that requires no translation.
“Fine. You’re right.” My bottom lip juts out as I pout.
“You’re giving up already? At least make me work for it.” His eyes rival the blinding light outside. The way he stares at me, with quiet challenge, has me wanting to push back.
“Part of me thinks you like picking fights with me because it’s the only way you know how to keep me around.”
A noise gets trapped in his throat. “Why would I want that?”
“Because I think you like talking to me.”
“Is anyone else aware of what a narcissist you are?”
“I’m surprised you noticed with how obsessed you are with yourself.”
He spoils me with a small smile that gives me the same rush of pride as climbing the tallest mountain. I grin back at him, and his eyes drop to my lips. The warmth in my chest reroutes itself toward a different area of my body.
“Admit it. You like hanging around me.”
Now you’re flirting with him?
His smile only expands. “I don’t exactly hate it.”
“Coming from you, that’s practically a declaration of love.”
He blinks, and I’m hit with the temptation to slap myself.
Ugh. Why did you phrase it like that?
Because you’re too busy flirting to use your common sense.
“Well, this is my sign to go jump in front of the nearest moving vehicle.”
I turn away from the sliding door, desperate for some distance.
Run while you still can.
“What do you plan on doing today?” His question shocks me.
I stop and look over my shoulder. “Why are you asking?”
“I’m curious.”
“I doubt you’re interested in whatever I have planned.”
You don’t have a plan.
Then I better think of one quick because the last thing I need is to spend more time with Declan. I’m already weak when it comes to him.