Blinded: A High School Bully Romance (Del Sol High Book 1) Read online

  Archer takes a step toward him, but I grab his arm. “Don't. Not worth it.”

  He looks at me.

  “Please,” I say.

  He gives me a quick nod and we stand there awkwardly for a second.

  “Are we...dancing?” I ask.

  He nods again and takes my hand. He puts his arm around my waist and pulls me in close to him. We move slowly for a minute or so, neither of us saying anything. He smells like sandalwood and I want to crawl into him.

  “My parents lied to me,” he finally says.

  I look up at him.

  “When my mom was diagnosed,” he says. “They didn't tell me. For about six months. They waited until it was obvious. They thought they were doing the right thing, keeping it from me.” He shakes his head. “It wasn't the right thing. And after she died, I didn't speak to my dad for a month. Literally not a word. Things still aren't great between us. Because they kept telling me she was fine when she wasn't.” He pauses. “And all I can think about is if I had known, maybe I would've made different choices. Maybe I would've spent more time with her. I don't know. But they didn't give me the chance to decide. They lied to me about it. And, no matter what their intention was, it was still a lie.” He looks down at me. “And it has stuck with me.”

  I hug him tight. “I'm sorry.”

  “So I just...I don't do lying,” he says. He lets go of my hand and lifts my chin up so I'm looking at him. “Especially with people I care about.”

  “I'm sorry,” I say. “Everything I said yesterday to you, I meant. I'm sorry.”

  He nods. “I know. And I believe you. But you can't lie to me. I need to be able to trust you. Always.”

  I lean my head against his chest. I can't deny how I feel about him. Even with all of the stupid bickering we've done, I know I'm crazy about him. I know that the night in the hotel wasn't a mistake, and I know that there can be more moments like that.

  But I also know I've dug a hole for myself that I'm not sure how to get out of.

  I don't want to lie to him.

  But I also don't want him to know the truth.

  About everything.

  “Nola,” he says.

  I look up at him.

  “I need to be able to trust you,” he says. “I need to know that you'll tell me the truth. I get why you felt like you had to create the story with your dad. I do. But I need to know that you won't do it again with me. I wanna know you. I don't want to be guessing.” He pauses. “Can I trust you?”

  I can hear his heart beating inside of his chest. My hand is warm in his. Right now, there is nowhere else on the planet I'd rather be.

  And I do want to be honest with him.

  I'll figure out a way to tell him.

  But not right now. It's not the time or the place.

  But I'll find a way to tell him.

  Everything.

  Even if it ends up leaving me with nothing.

  I look up at him. “Yes. You can trust me.”

  ***

  End Notes

  Thanks so much for reading BLINDED, the first book in the Del Sol High series. Can't wait to find out what happens next? You can pre-order the second book in the series, BURNED, right now by clicking right here.