Skate to me slow

Chapter Four

***Lillianna POV***

So, there may have been another reason I wanted to end things with Jonas.

I don’t think the two of them even realize it yet, but Bianca and Jonas are completely in love with each other. It’s written in the way they look at one another when they think no one’s watching, in the quiet pauses between their jokes, in the way she softens when he’s near. Honestly, I don’t know why he asked me out instead of her.

And Bee, being the best friend any girl could ever ask for, supported our relationship without question. She smiled through it all, pretending not to notice how awkward things sometimes got between Jonas and me. But lately, I’ve stopped lying to myself — the truth was always there, right in front of me.

“I think so. She’s out front getting air and waiting to get a ride home,” Milly tells Jonas when we find her near the kitchen.

“Thanks, Milly,” he says, before glancing at me with that easy grin. “Come on, hot stuff, party’s over. We’ve got a bestie to get home.”

I giggle softly, following him through the side gate. The night air is cool against my skin, carrying the faint scent of beer and grass. Relief spreads through me — it went so much better than I’d feared. I was ready for tears, anger, guilt… but instead, it felt like closure.

When Bianca comes into view, Jonas’s whole face lights up. He quickens his pace like his body moves before his mind can catch up, kneeling down beside her as she sits on the curb.

“Hey, Bumblebee,” he murmurs, concern lacing his voice. “You good?”

Bianca groans, rubbing her temples. “Too much beer. Why do I drink it? It’s so nasty.”

We both laugh, and Jonas squeezes her knee gently before looking up at me, almost guilty, as if he’s crossing a line. I just smile and wink, letting him know it’s fine.

He studies me for a moment, then exhales and stands, scooping her up effortlessly.

“What are you doing?” she slurs, squirming in his arms as he starts toward his truck.

“I’m taking you two home,” he says, half-amused, half-exasperated. “Pretty sure you’ve had enough to drink tonight.”

“Put me down, you can’t carry me like this!” she protests, swatting at him.

“Why not?” he teases.

“Because you have a girlfriend—right there!” she says, pointing weakly in my direction.

Jonas laughs, placing her carefully in the passenger seat.

“No, he doesn’t,” I say as I slide in beside her, shutting the door.

“What?” she blinks, eyes glassy and confused.

“That’s where I went earlier—to break up with Jonas,” I admit, grimacing.

Her eyes go wide, darting between us. “But… why?”

He shrugs softly, offering a small smile. “We realized we’re better off as friends.”

“Oh,” she murmurs, guilt flickering through her expression. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” I whisper, resting my head on her shoulder as the truck rolls forward. “Everyone deserves to be with someone who makes them their whole world. That wasn’t us.”

“I wasn’t gonna say anything,” she slurs, “but come on—you two hardly even kissed. Did you ever… you know?”

“No!” Jonas and I shout in unison.

We glance at each other, then quickly look away, both trying not to laugh.

“So, you’re both still virgins?” she asks with a teasing grin.

“Looks like it,” I sigh dramatically. “That’s fine. We can be the Three Virgin Amigos.”

“What makes you think I’m still one?” she fires back playfully.

Jonas whips his head toward her, shooting her a glare that could melt steel.

“Because I’m your bestie, b***h,” I say, grinning. “You would have told me.”

She sighs and leans her head against his shoulder. “True.”

Jonas’s shoulders drop slightly, the tension fading, and I have to bite my lip to keep from smiling. How did I not see it before? The way they fit. The way he looks at her like she’s the only one in the room.

When we pull into my driveway, Bianca’s already fast asleep.

“I got her,” Jonas says, gently lifting her out of the truck.

He carries her into the pool house—the space that’s practically mine now. It’s where I escape the chaos of my three younger brothers and where I feel most like myself.

While Jonas settles her onto the couch, I wander outside, sitting on the edge of the pool. My feet slip into the cool water as I lean back on my palms, staring at the reflection of the stars rippling on the surface. The night is calm, the air heavy with the scent of chlorine and cut grass.

I feel light. Relieved.

Jonas didn’t make me feel bad for ending things—of course he didn’t. That’s who he is.

“Hey,” he says softly, taking a seat beside me.

“Hey.” I glance over, my lips curving into a small smile. “If I ask you something, will you be honest?”

“Always.”

“Do you have feelings for B?”

His eyes widen, a blush creeping into his cheeks. I can tell he wants to deny it, but his silence says everything. Finally, he nods.

“I’m sorry, Lilly.”

“Don’t be.” I smile, genuine this time. “It’s okay. I’ve kinda had the feeling for a while.”

“Really?”

“Yup. Which is why I don’t feel too bad for dumping your ass.”

He snorts, shaking his head. “Like you don’t have feelings for someone else.”

My smile falters. My throat tightens.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I whisper, staring at the water.

“Lilly,” he says softly, his tone too kind, too knowing. “I know you love him.”

Ugh. Why does he have to sound so gentle about it?

“I shouldn’t,” I murmur, voice breaking.

Jonas sighs, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. “Whatever happens, you’ll always have me and Bee. We’re not going anywhere.”

“Thank you.” I rest my head against him, letting his warmth steady me. The night hums around us, quiet except for the faint sound of crickets and the gentle ripple of water.

After a while, he squeezes my shoulder and stands. “I better get going.”

He looks past me at the pool house where Bianca sleeps, hesitation written all over him.

“I got her,” I assure him, laughing softly. “Go. Before one of my dads finds you out here.”

“s**t,” he mutters, rubbing the back of his neck. “Last thing I need is my new coach and dean teaming up to kill me.”

“You’re so dramatic,” I tease. “They love you.”

“Not if they think I’m out here sleeping with their daughter.” He quirks a brow, smirking.

“Yeah, good point. You should definitely go.”

He chuckles, heading toward his truck. I follow him out, waving as he drives off, before turning back toward the house.

Inside, the world feels still again. Everyone’s asleep. I grab two bottles of water and some pain meds for Bianca, trying to be quiet as I make my way through the kitchen.

And that’s when I collide with someone.

A familiar scent hits me—clean soap, a hint of musk, and something uniquely him.

“Toby,” I whisper, looking up.

The moonlight spills through the kitchen window, painting him in silver. God, he looks good. Too good. I know I’ve seen him every weekend for the past two years, but being this close… it’s different. His fingers brush my arms, and my breath catches.

“Lilli…” His voice is low, rough.

“Toby, stop,” I manage, but it comes out weak.

He cups my face gently, his thumb grazing my cheek, and suddenly I can feel his breath against my lips. My whole body freezes. My heart stops.

Is he going to kiss me?

The world feels like it’s holding its breath.

Then—light floods the room.

We jerk apart.

Rain stands in the doorway, eyes flicking between us, a small, knowing smile tugging at her lips.

“Uh—uhm—Bee’s spending the night,” I stammer. “And I just came to grab some… some meds for her. So, I’ll just—uh—go now.”

I rush out of the kitchen, my heart slamming in my chest.

What the hell just happened?

Inside my head, it’s chaos.

Things between us haven’t been the same for years. We don’t hang out anymore, barely talk during Sunday dinners. He’s distant. Cold sometimes. Like the easy closeness we once had was nothing but a memory.

And now… he almost kissed me.

Or did I imagine it?

My skin still tingles where his hands touched me. My heart won’t slow down.

God, I can still feel him.

And I don’t know what terrifies me more—the fact that I might have imagined it… or that I didn’t.