Free Breaking Down Sydney (Sydney West #2) by Brittney Coon Page A

face go from being curious to alarmed.
    “Wh—”
    “Watch.” Jason dug the blade into the bark, carving into the tree.
    I stood at his side as he chipped away. After a few minutes, I could make out a heart shape. He then put our initials into the center of the heart.
    “There,” he said, standing back to admire his handiwork. “Now we’ll forever live here.”
    Something inside me pulled me toward the tree. It was like I had to run my fingers down the new carving to make sure it was real.
    The tree would forever bear our initials, through the test of time. I stared at the ‘ JK + SW’ within the heart.
    “I can honestly say no boy has ever done this for me.”
    Jason smiled, putting away his knife. “No? Good to know I’m ahead of the game.”
    “You’re so ahead that those other guys are like dots.”
    He pulled me into him. I pressed him against our tree and kissed him hard.
    Jason ended the kiss, pressing his forehead to mine. “I love you, Sydney. More than I’ve ever loved anyone in my life.”
    I looked into his eyes, feeling the honesty in his words. He left me speechless and kissed me again before I could reply. It was like he was trying to become a part of me. Jason wanted to prove love to me so badly that he scarred a tree for me.
    I love you, Sydney. His voice echoed in my head as his lips traced my neck and left collarbone.
    Something inside me awoke. It was like the inner succubus in me wanted to consume Jason’s love and turn it into lust.
    We peeled our clothes off in layers. Soon we were one, consummating what the tree’s scar stood for.
     
    ***
     
    We caught up with Hunter and Amelia at the river. They had a picnic set up and were already eating. Amelia gave me a look. She knew what we had done. Hunter winked at me. He knew too.
    Jason and I sat down, getting out our food. No one spoke, but the silence was loud.
    The rest of the hike was lovely. We called it a day and went back to the cabin when the sun was about to set. That night Jason and I slept in each other’s arms like true lovers.
    A fear rose within me that one night I wouldn’t be able to sleep without Jason next to me. I never wanted to experience the loss of love. That was why I kept myself at a distance and locked my heart up. Unfortunately, Jason stole my heart and I wasn’t sure what kind of state it was in anymore.
    In the morning, we packed up and prepared to go back to the real world, also known as college. Jason and I were dropped off at the dorm and Hunter and Amelia went to the apartment.
    I wasn’t sure if I was ready to face the real world yet. It was nice to not have to worry about tests, essays, and being on time while hidden away in a cabin deep in the woods. Though I wasn’t a fan of the décor, I’d live with it if that meant I didn’t have to write another essay. But fantasies always come to an end, and so did mine. At least I had Jason at my state university, but could he handle my life? Sure, he knew me in California, but I usually faked a lot of my courage with the help of alcohol. Could I reveal the true me to Jason? Was his love strong enough to love all the different shades of me?
    The future laid before me like an upside-down stack of cards. In order to know what was coming up next, I had to play the game. Yes, I was afraid, but I was also excited. The future was full of possibilities. That sounded like something a girl could enjoy…or it could tear me apart.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Twelve
     
     
    Monday seemed to wash away the magic of the weekend. I was back to long lectures, endless homework, and I picked up a part-time job at the local bookstore. I started spending less and less time with Jason, but the time we did get to spend together was still precious. When I was around him, he infected me with butterflies. Every nerve in my body caught on fire when he touched me. How I felt around him was unreal. It was like what romance films talked about. I didn’t want to eat or