Page 7 of Love on the Edge
She nudges me playfully, as we push off the wall and head for the door.
The cool night air is a sharp contrast to the heat inside. Valeria pulls her jacket tighter around her.
I unlock the truck and glance at her. "Regretting your decision already?"
"Not yet," she teases, sliding into the passenger seat. "But let’s see where this night takes us first."
I smirk, closing the driver’s side door. "Guess we will."
I slide into the driver’s seat and turn to her. "So, where are we going?"
"I would say home, but I don’t need my parents asking me how the party went and why I’m home so early," she says.
"Oh, I feel that," I say.
She exhales, like she’s debating whether to say more. "I’m trying to move out, but honestly, my parents aren’t home enough for me to warrant it."
She looks away, almost embarrassed.
"You don’t owe me an explanation," I say, keeping my voice even. "I get it. No judgment."
She nods, then shifts in her seat. "How about we go somewhere quiet? Hang out for a bit?"
"Deal," I say, putting the truck in drive.
I know the perfect spot. A clearing not far from Drew’s house. People use it for stargazing, but this late, it’ll be empty. Quiet. A good place to breathe.
I’m so glad Ileft the party.
But leaving with this guy? Definitely not part of the plan.
We sit in silence, but there’s no awkwardness. I like that. No pressure to talk. No need to fill the quiet with meaningless words. I’ve never been good at it, hence why my sport of choice isn’t a team sport.
I have no idea where we’re going. Just that Ethan knows a spot.
I keep peeking over at him. I tell myself I’m just checking where we are, but that’s a lie.
The glow from the dashboard catches on the sharp angles of his face—strong jaw, lips slightly parted, focused on the road like nothing can shake him. His hands grip the wheel, fingers steady, forearms tense just enough to make me wonder how it would feel if he ever let go.
He’s hot. Effortlessly, unfairly hot. The kind of guy who probably looks good without even trying. Broad shoulders, strong arms, the kind of build that comes from real work, not just lifting weights in a gym. Sandy blond hair that’s just a littletoo messy, like he ran a hand through it without thinking. And those eyes—blue, sharp, watching me like he’s already trying to figure me out.
And the worst part? I don’t think he even knows it.
We pull up to the spot. A wide-open field, dark except for the sky above us. Out here, the stars feel closer, endless, stretching beyond anything I can explain. The air is crisp, cool against my skin. The quiet settles in, wrapping around us like a second blanket. It’s peaceful.
Too peaceful.
“Do you want to sit in the bed of the truck for a bit?” Ethan asks.
I nod. “Sure.”
He lowers the tailgate and spreads out a blanket. I hop up the best I can, adjusting my dress as I settle in. The metal beneath me is cold, but I barely feel it. I lean back, tilting my head up.
“Wow,” I breathe. “It’s beautiful here.”
Ethan climbs in beside me, another blanket in hand. He spreads it over us, the weight of it pressing lightly against my legs, adding warmth to the air between us.
“You came prepared,” I say, glancing at him.
