***

The chirping birds woke me up a few hours later. I stretched out my sore body and groaned. I was sunburnt and aching in places I didn’t know I could ache in. I also had a horrible headache.

“Hey, beautiful.” Bryce leaned down to kiss me and I felt my insides melt at his words. There was something about him that captivated me to my core.

“Hey.”

“How are you?”

“Good.”

“I’m sorry I was so fast.” He shook his head. “I wanted you to hear and see fireworks your first time.”

“It was wonderful, Bryce.”

“You’re a bad liar, Lexi.” He grinned and pinched my nose.

“No, I’m not.” I laughed and tried to pull him towards me.

“Nope.” He jumped up and pulled me with him. “The next time we make love will be in a bed, a big cushy bed.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yes.”

“Hmmm.” I reached down and grabbed my clothes and we got dressed quickly.

“Let’s go to my place so I can grab some clean clothes and then maybe we can spend the night at a hotel?”

“In Jonesville right?”

“Fine. We’ll do Vegas another time.”

“That sounds like a plan.”

“All I need is a big bed, with soft, cotton sheets.”

“And maybe we can get some condoms.”

“Yes,” he laughed. “We have to be safe.”

“I really do love you, Bryce Evans.” I touched his hand as we walked to his car.

“Lexi, you do not know what those words mean to me.”

I just smiled at him, happily. This was meant to be. We were meant to be. This was what the universe wanted. It all seemed so easy. So wonderful. I ignored the dull ache in my heart.

***

“You can come in with me if you want.” Bryce jumped out of the car. “I won’t be too long.”

“I’ll come for some water.” I grinned at him and followed him to the door.

“Hi, Dad.” Bryce nodded at his dad and I paled as I saw him, hoping he didn’t recognize me.

“Bryce.” His dad’s eyes slid quickly past him and onto me. “And you are?”

“Lexi Lord, sir.” I figured that I had nothing to be ashamed of.

“I see.” He studied my face and smiled. “I see the resemblance.”

“Come on, Lexi,” Bryce called out to me from the stairs and I walked up to join him quickly. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay.” I smiled briefly. I was lying. I wasn’t okay. Something about his father had upset me. Maybe it was the fake smile he had given me, or maybe it was because of his comment, but I just felt weird. I sat down on the chair in Bryce’s room and closed my eyes.

“Are you okay, Lexi?” Bryce looked at me in concern. “You look kinda pale.”

“I feel a bit faint,” I sighed and rubbed my head. “I’ll be okay in a second.” I felt something grind into my butt and I pulled it out from under me. I was about to ask where Bryce wanted me to put it, when I realized I was holding a bra. “Uhm, Bryce...” I started, hesitantly.

He looked over at me with a puzzled look on his face.

“Whose bra is this?” I flung it at him, my heart beating fast and I tried to ignore the loud buzzing in my ears.

“It was a mistake, Lexi.” Bryce rushed towards me with an anguished look on his face.

“What was a mistake?” I stared at his white face and I felt panic and dread run through me.

“Guys, open up the door. Open up the door.” Mayor Evans banged on the door and Bryce cursed under his breath as he opened up the door.

“What, dad?”

“There’s been an accident.” Mayor Evans’s voice sounded worried and he looked at us with a startled look. “The police station just called. There’s been a big accident.”

“Okay and?” Bryce shouted at his father and I felt my breath catch.

“There’s a fatality been reported.” The Mayor looked directly at me and, as his words hit my ears, I pictured Luke’s face and fainted.