Vivian
Damien didn’t speak again. He didn’t check on me.
But I pressed myself into his back and buried my face.
Ten minutes, he had said in the car.
Forever, I had felt.
We had crossed a line up there.
I had looked into the depths of his eyes. I had challenged him. And instead of begging him to pull me back to safety, I provoked him to jump with me.
My thoughts drifted off when Damien slammed on the brakes, shutting off the bike's engine. He stopped not in front of Julian’s mansion, but the service lane behind.
Shortly, he set the kickstand down but stayed on the bike. He kept his eyes glued to the brick wall, clutching the bike's handlebars.
I slid off the back and unbuckled the helmet. As soon I pulled it off, the night air hit my neck.
I handed the helmet to him.
"Go." h
