The Canary Cowards

by Jescie Hall

“You deserve to be selfish sometimes. Even if you find yourself hating the idea.”

“If you even for a second think you're gonna run, know I'll chase you. I'll chase until you're mine,” he whispers, grabbing my wrists and placing them on both sides of the headrest, making me fall forward into him again. “I'll catch you when you're slippin’.” He leans forward to capture my lips, pulling my bottom lip between his and sucking it tenderly before releasing it. “And you'll love every bit of getting caught.” I

She's such a fucking masterpiece. A once in a lifetime woman. One I'm not sure I deserve.

“Lake! Lake in here! Lake.” Dylan's forehead creases as a hand comes up over her mouth. For a moment, it looks like she bit her tongue, so I approach her. She's going to cry. “What's wrong?” I ask, cocking my head and sliding my hand down the back of her arm gently. She tightens her jaw, shaking her head as tears pool in her eyes. Pointing to his room once, she says shakily, “He just never does this.” “Does what, exactly?” I ask softly. She swallows down the emotion as her eyes find mine. “Just openly invites people into his room.”

“Thank you.” I swallow, shaky with my words. “For being home.” She sniffles against me. “I’ll always be your home, Lake.”

“I’ll love you every lap, Lake. When we’re in the lead at the peak of our race, and when we crash into the fence, burning into nothing but shattered pieces and flames. I’ll love you through it all because you’ve always been part of my team. Our team.”