Burning Bright Read online

  ‘You’ve got to be kidding, Riv.’ Flynn stared at me, his eyes greener than ever in the bright sunlight. ‘I’m not doing some stupid course. I don’t need it for a start and—’

  ‘It’s the only way,’ I interrupted. ‘You know you get too angry about stuff. Like with your dad and how you hurt him. You admitted it before. It wasn’t right how you felt. What you did. Maybe if you can face up to that . . .’

  ‘Don’t do this, Riv.’ Flynn clenched his teeth. I could see him struggle for a second, then the roar exploded out of him. ‘I freakin’ love you. Why isn’t that enough?’

  I stared at him, my heart thumping. ‘That’s why,’ I said steadily.

  The park was quiet all around us, just the sound of the wind in the trees and children playing in the distance. There was a long pause. I took a step away from him.

  ‘I have to go. I’ve got more exams to revise for.’

  His eyes glistened, boring into me.

  I turned around. Took another step away. Then another. My legs were shaking and my heart was pounding but I kept on walking.

  I was almost at the gate when I heard his footsteps behind me.

  ‘River?’

  I stopped and turned around.

  ‘Okay.’ His voice was low and intense.

  ‘Okay, what?’ I looked across the grass, knowing my eyes were giving away how much I wanted him.

  Flynn moved closer.

  ‘Okay, what?’ I repeated, looking up at him.

  ‘Okay, you’re right.’ His mouth trembled, his voice hoarse and low. ‘That’s why I’m getting angry. You’re right and I can’t bear the idea that I might lose you, that I am losing you.’ His eyes glowed as he fixed me with his intense gaze, like I was the only person in the whole world.

  ‘Oh, Flynn.’ I could barely breathe.

  He moved right up to me and ran his finger down my cheek.

  ‘The truth is . . .’ His voice cracked. ‘The real truth is that I’m scared.’

  ‘Scared of what?’ I whispered.

  ‘Of not being good enough for you.’

  I hesitated, my gaze fixed on his eyes, all soulful and serious. Then I leaned against his chest, feeling him lean into me too. ‘That’s not what I think,’ I said. ‘That’s not it at all. I just think you have a problem and until you . . .’

  ‘Face up to it?’ Flynn pulled away. His face was pale and drawn. ‘Get help?’ He rubbed his eyes. Then he looked at me again. ‘I shouldn’t be putting you through all this. It’s not fair.’

  We stood together, not touching.

  ‘I love you so much,’ I said.

  ‘And I want to prove that I love you,’ he said, his voice steadier than before. ‘I’ll go to anger control classes or whatever they’re called, I’ll do whatever it takes.’

  ‘Really? You mean it?’

  ‘Yes,’ Flynn said. ‘I promise.’ He took a step back. ‘And this time I’m going to show you that I mean it. I’m going to earn the right to be with you, River.’ He took another step away from me.

  ‘You’re going?’ I said. My guts twisted.

  ‘For now.’ He gave me a sad smile. ‘It’s the only way to prove that I’ve changed.’

  I stared at him. The pain I felt at the prospect of being apart from Flynn was reflected in his own eyes. And yet I knew he was right to leave.

  We looked at each other for a long moment, then his sad smile deepened into an entirely charming, sexy grin that made me buckle at the knees.

  ‘Just don’t go running off with any strange boys, Riv. I’ll be back for you before you know it.’

  He walked off.

  I watched him pass through the park gate and disappear around the corner then I stepped out of the shadows and headed home.

  Alone.

  The story continues . . .

  in Casting Shadows.

  SOPHIE McKENZIE

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