Page 82 of The Masks We Burn
Goosebumps overtake my arms as I nod, placing my hand in his and letting him pull me to my feet.
As if he knows the perfect place to go, he winds us through the small crowd dancing and on to the other side of the cake table. Just before we disappear between two trees, Mina, stumbles from behind them, fingers combing her long brown locks.
When she looks up, she nearly trips, and a pair of strong arms catch her from behind. “Careful there, Ma.”
Bellamy realizes too late that Will and I are standing in front of them, awkwardly waiting to get by. When he looks up, his jaw nearly dislocates, it drops open so far. He corrects himself quickly though and stumbles over his words. “I was just showing her a place she could, um, pee.”
“Yes,” Mina adds.
“Well, if I didn’t think you both snuck off for a quickie, I sure do now,” I huff, giving Mina a coy smile.
Her face blooms pink, but oddly enough she only grins and jerks Bellamy behind her, back to the party.
“That will be a nice awkward conversation later.” Will motions for me to follow him.
“For sure.” We both exchange a small smile, and for one moment, things feel a little less strained.
It’s only a few yards of walking before a small wave of lights catches my attention. When we break through the trees, I realize he’s taken me back around to where the ceremony was. The entire area is still lit with the same electric lanterns that flow through the reception, and now, with the sun long gone, the string of lights twinkle overhead.
William turns to face me and tilts his head. “So, what did you wanna talk about, bunny?”
Will sits in one of the chairs, leaning forward and resting his forearms on his thighs. My eyes catch on the little pink butterfly just visible outside his rolled sleeve. He follows my gaze and rubs a thumb over it.
“Will, I—” The emotions wash over me suddenly, like I’m back in the water he saved me from, thinking I can handle it. But the first wave is already knocking me on my ass. My lips tremble, and tears burn the edges, threatening to stop me before I even start.
He grasps both my hands, but I shake my head and take a step back. I need to say the words sober from his touch, so he knows how much I mean what I’m about to say.
Digging the toe of one of my heel’s toes in the dirt, I take a breath and start again. “I’m sorry for being an asshole to you. For being a bitch at the beginning and for... when you gave me the box, I knew. I knew I would let my mother win. Which looking back now, I see how—”
My words rush out, tumbling over each other, and soon frustration from not even being able to form a complete sentence pushes my tears over. They’re hot as they stream down, filled with annoyance at myself. This was supposed to be an apology. A way for me to ask him if we could be friends. But, it’s not what I want, and thinking of being only his friend makes me feel… depleted.
Will’s dark green eyes stare up at me from under furrowed brows, worry etched in all his features. And I’m the cause of that look. My heart sinks.
Fuck it.
“I love you, Will. I’ve loved you since the day I let down a piece of my armor and showed you who I am. When you looked at me and didn’t make me feel fucking insane? Yeah, that’s when I knew. But I had shit I needed to work out on my own. I had to figure everything out without you. I wasn’t ready to love you how you needed… no. How you deserve, because I was too caught up in my past.”
I take another breath, goosebumps rising along every exposed surface of my body as my tears turn from angry to liberated.
The truth strips away the mask I’ve worn for far too long.
It drops to the ground and shatters into a thousand pieces.
And just for good measure, I drop a match, burning it to dust and letting it scatter in the wind.
I am free.
“You were the right person, wrong time, but dammit, it’s the right time now. And if you’ve already moved on, I mean, I understand, I get it. But if you haven’t—”
Warm lips crash against mine, and I melt immediately, curling into the man I haven’t gone a day without thinking about. My arms wrap around his neck as he takes my breath and replaces it with his. My back presses into a tree before I realize we were even walking backward, and I let him consume me.
Body.
Mind.
Soul.
William’s hands grasp either side of my face as he deepens the kiss, reaching for everything I have to give. We kiss until both of us are tugging at each other, and then, as if we both realize we’re still at a wedding, we break apart, resting on the other’s forehead.
