The Day That Saved Us by Mindy Hayes Page A

weak ankles. When I open my eyes, Brodee doesn’t make an attempt to let me go. He’s only inches from my face. His fingers touch the skin of my back between my shirt and shorts where the material has ridden up.
    “You all right?” His voice is low, husky, and I can’t stop the shiver that begins at the base of my spine. Our proximity and his hand touching my bare skin, mixed with the stillness of the night—the moon and stars as our only source of light—suddenly the air between us is too thick to breathe.
    The words get stuck in my throat. “I’m fine.” After “fine” passes my lips I wish I could take it back. Fine is the universal sign for women not being fine in any context.
    His eyes unhurriedly drift over my face and land on my lips, leaving me defenseless. Ever so subtly he bites his bottom lip, and I’m a goner. Putty in his hands. If he leans in, my self-control cannot be held accountable. As of now, I have none.
    “Peyton,” he whispers. Our bodies are so intimately close I can feel his warm breath on my face. “We should go to bed.” His words don’t convince me until he steps back awkwardly.
    I nod fervently. “Yeah.” I back up out of his arms and rest my hands on my hips, attempting to act more casual than I feel. “I’m exhausted. I really need to go to sleep. I’m just gonna grab a glass of water first.” I head toward the kitchen so I don’t have to look at him.
    “Night,” he says hoarsely.
    When Brodee disappears up the stairs I fall back against the counter, out of breath. HO-LY. CRAP.
    It’s not just me. He feels it too, right? Or am I just imagining things because I feel it so strongly? That has to be it. I’ve officially caught the train to Crazy Town.
    How’s the distancing yourself working out there, Peyton?
    I need to try harder.

 
     
     
     
     
    “WHAT TIME ARE you guys leaving tomorrow?” I curl onto my side in bed and face Harper.
    She groans and stretches her arms above her head. I decided to wake her up earlier than normal today with it being our last day together.
    “I think we’re gonna get up early and go so we can make it home before it gets dark.”
    “I wish you guys could stay longer.”
    “Trust me,” Harper says, flipping onto her side to face me. “I would much rather stay in paradise than spend a week in Minnesota with my entire family. This reunion might be the death of me. Don’t forget to remember me if I don’t survive.”
    “If you die, who am I supposed to hang out with at USC? It’ll be so boring.”
    “Ha-ha.” She lightly kicks my shins under the covers. “What are we gonna do today?”
    “Let’s go find out.” We hop out of bed in search of the boys. “They’ve been up since, like, eight playing video games. It’s going to be a struggle to pull them away.”
    “Morning,” I greet my mom and Nick who are in the kitchen milling around. They weren’t up when I came down earlier. Tate must still be sleeping.
    “Good morning,” they say in unison, offering a smile.
    Brodee and Skylar are in the zone in the living room. I don’t even think they noticed we walked into the room until Harper says, “Hey, bums, what’s the plan today?” and squeezes beside Skylar and the armrest, leaning her head against his shoulder.
    “The beach, beach, and more beach,” Brodee replies, concentrating on the TV.
    “Well, then let’s go to the beach! Shut this off, and let’s get out of here.” Harper grabs the controller from Skylar and attempts to end the game. “You can play video games anytime.”
    “Hey! C’mon, babe. I was just about to annihilate Brodee,” he groans and throws his arms up in defeat.
    Brodee pumps his fist in the air with a Chewbacca howl. I can’t help my giggle. Every time. He shoots me a smirk before shouting at Skylar, “Ha! Suck it!”
    “Don’t get too cocky, Fisher. I’d have killed you, if Harper hadn’t intervened.”
    “And it’s a good thing I did. The party will be leaving in ten