Page 33 (1/2)

Without You Kelly Elliott 13280K 2023-08-31

Luke didn’t say a word to me the whole way back to his house I parked his truck, and he got out and started walking to the barn

"Luke, I’ll leave the keys in the truck"

He raised his hand and called out, "Thanks, Will I appreciate it"

I shook my head and made my way to er side

Once I got in, I looked at her and sighed "Jesus, our friends are like a darabbed lad Libby came to her senses"

I ran my hand down my face "God, so am I"

"So, what’s this surprise?"

I put the truck in drive I smiled at her, and then I headed toward ? We’re not even on the road anyh our property’s back gate so thaton one of the old trails that Libby and I had o to our secret fort We’d spent three years building it My father had helped us with a few of the things, but we’d mostly built it ourselves It was our secret place that none of our friends even knew about Libby and I had camped out there sous twin beds for it Looking back now, I couldn’t believe that we hadn’t been afraid to stay there alone

"Just a little bit more, and then we’ll be there" As I pulled up, I could see the faint outline of the building

"What is that?" Lex asked

I put the truck in park "Hold on, babe" I jurabbed the two duffel bags that I had packed earlier today and a flashlight I walked around and opened Lex’s door Then, I turned on the flashlight

We asp

"Will, is this your and Lib’s secret house?"

I stopped and looked at her "What? How do you know about it? It’s supposed to be a secret!" I felt betrayed by led "Libby accidentally let it slip about two years ago She made Grace and me swear that ould never let you know that we knew Oh my word…y’all built this, Will?"

I looked back at the tiny hideaway "Yep My dad helped put the s and door in, and he built us a few things inside, but Lib and I did most of it We would spend hours down here, just "