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He hesitated like he was thinking it over "Are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean, if he wanted you at his house, wouldn’t he have taken you there?"

"He wouldn’t have taken me there if he’s too embarrassed by where he lives, but I want him to know he shouldn’t be"

I could tell he didn’t want to upset his friend, but he finally conceded, "I’ll take you if you really wantwe can do is drive out that way and look for his truck"

I illing to try anything "If you’re not in thetoo important, I really want you to take me I need to see him, Dane"

I sent up a prayer and waited for Dane’s answer "Okay, I’ll cohed a breath of relief "I’ll be watching for you And Dane…thank you sothe bla up at his place without an invite," he warned

"I promise I’ll take all the blame," I assured him

When Dane pulled into et out of his car I got in and told hirateful I was for his help, then he drove in the direction of where he suspected Jessie lived

I had never been out that way, but there was a distinct difference in the housing the further south we drove We left the grand two stories behind us and progressively drove into what hetto

I hoped Dane rong about where Jessie lived, but if he wasn’t, it didn’t matter I loved him and I didn’t care what kind of house he lived in or if he didn’t have money

Dane turned into a place where h room for a built on porch and a couple of cars in between We searched for Jessie’s truck as he slowly drove through the trailer park, but didn’t see a sign of it and an to fade

Dane saw the disappoint the place or he didn’t go hoan to cry out of s out between us "Thanks for trying, Dane," I whi, "Please don’t cry, Claire I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think I know that Jessie is crazy about you, so I’m sure you’ll work it out"

"I don’t knoill, Dane It’s pretty serious," I sobbed as I continued to search for Jessie’s truck in every yard we drove by

I finally gave up after two hours of riding around and told Dane he could takehis voiceain "Jessie, please call me I really need to talk to you"

Sunday ca a word frooing to work between us I didn’t sleep well for a second night and I got up while it was still dark to get ready for school on Monday

I waited in Humanities impatiently and felt short of breath when he finally cah the door This was it-the moment of truth

He took the seat next to me, put his backpack down, then looked over athim call me Princess madewith our usual routine I looked down at my notebook and doodled as I added, "You didn’t return my calls or texts"

When he started to answer, I looked over at him "I’m sorry I know you’re probably a little confused about what is going on withbefore class Will you meet reed "Do you want me to meet you by your truck?"

"Yeah, that ork" He didn’t look at n, so I was a bundle of nerves the rest of day

After practice, I waited for hi itself in knots I dreaded this conversation because I was certain it was going to be near impossible to convince him that his sessions with my mom weren’t relevant to our relationship

He looked so exhausted when he walked toward me from the field and I wondered if it was from practice or if he was as sleep deprived as me "You look really tired Is now a bad time for us to talk because we can wait if you want?"

He shook his head "No I need to do this"

His words caused my heart to pick up speed because I didn’t like what they iot in the truck with hiainst the seat and closed his eyes

"You said you needed to do this What does that mean? What do you need to do?" I asked while I braced myself for the worst

He inhaled deeply, then slowly blew the air out through his pursed lips "I don’t want to see you anymore I pretended I was in love with you because I wanted to see if I could take you froood job and I have to thank you for et in your pants, but since you shut me down on that, there’s really no need to continue this"