When Stars Collide (Light in the Dark #2) - Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,22

to him. “Come on, let’s go.”

He takes my hand and gathers up our trash to throw away in the other.

Together, we make our way toward the sound of the music and find a girl, maybe sixteen years old, playing her guitar and singing in front of the fountain that marks the center of the park. Her hair is a rainbow of colors and she sings with all the love and passion I wish I had for something. Her eyes are closed and she’s so absorbed in the music she doesn’t even know that a crowd has gathered around her.

I smile as I watch an older couple nearby. The gray-haired man reaches for his wife’s hand and places his other at her waist. She beams up at him, clearly still as in love with him today as she was many years ago, and they dance to the music.

I look away and back to the girl, swaying slightly to the beat of the music.

Finally, I can’t take the itch beneath my skin a second longer.

I step out of my heels and hand them to Xander. “Hold these.”

“What are you up to?” He narrows his eyes on me.

I don’t tell him. I show him.

I run for the fountain and cry out with joy as I step into the cold water. Someone will probably come and yell at me to get out, but for the moment, all I want to do is be crazy.

“Thea!” Xander calls out and I find him in the crowd. He’s shaking his head but sporting the biggest grin. “You’re crazy!”

I lift my arms above my head and spin around. “Better crazy than boring!” I call back.

His answering laugh echoes through my ears.

I close my eyes and a smile graces my lips as I dance through the water, spinning in circles. If I’m not careful, I might fall, but I can’t bring myself to care—and heck, if I did fall it would make for an even better memory.

When I open my eyes, Xander stands in front of me at the edge of the fountain. I run into his arms, giggling like a little girl, and dive into his arms.

He grasps my legs and swings me up into his arms. “Are you Prince Charming?” I ask with a laugh.

He grunts. “I’d rather be Peter Pan.”

“Why?” I ask, curiosity leeching into my voice as he carries me to a bench.

“Because Peter Pan never had to grow up.”

“You never want to grow up?”

He nods. “No.” He bends down and grabs my foot, putting one shoe on. “But you must be Cinderella since it appears you’ve lost your shoes.”

“Well, you put it on—so like I said, Prince Charming. Besides, I think it’s a little late to be Peter Pan.” I lower my voice to a hushed whisper. “In case you didn’t notice, you’re all grown up.”

He laughs as he puts the other shoe on me. “Unfortunately, I noticed.” He stands up straight and extends his hand to me. “All right, Cinderella, we better get back to the ball—and by ball, I mean work.”

I pout. “The ball sounds more fun.”

“For once I’d have to agree with that. The Hallman account is kicking my ass.”

I frown. “I’m sorry.”

We start back through the park, and after a few minutes of silence I ask, “Are you happy?”

“Yeah,” he answers immediately, looking at me like I’m crazy for thinking he’s not.

“I don’t mean in general,” I clarify as we walk, waving my hands wildly like that will help drive home my point. “But working there—architecture, does it make you happy?”

A shadow passes over his face. “Yes,” he answers, but it sounds robotic, and I don’t believe him for a second.

It was only minutes ago that he told me I should do something that makes me happy, yet I can tell this doesn’t make him happy.

Are we all fools to think there really is such a thing as true happiness in this world?

Or are we all destined to live a lie spun of our own delusions?

I walk off the field, sweat beading on my face. I’m exhausted. I thought college ball was bad but it has nothing on the pros. It’s absolutely grueling and yet, I love it.

My practice schedule makes working for my dad difficult but not impossible. I know my life would be a hell of a lot easier if I would tell him and quit so I could focus on football completely, but for right now I want to keep this to myself for as long as