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At first, the chirping didn’t register, but when Weston tried to carefully maneuver out from under me, I woke up

"Sorry," he whispered "It’s four in theon?" I asked, wiping ht when he reached for his cell and unplugged it fro "Shit, it’s my Mom Hello?"

I could hear Veronica on the other end, her voice high-pitched and desperate

"No Calm down, Mom No, I told you I’ What’s going on?"

The voice switched to a deep tone, and I could tell it was Peter, Weston’s father Weston wiped his face, his eyes ide

"Holy shit Are you sure? Who told you?" He paused, listening to Peter "Oh, man Both of them? I don’tJesus No, don’t coood ti up the phone and looked down at me

"What is it? Are they okay?"

"Yeah, they’re fine It’s the Erins They were on their way to South Padre, and Alder was driving She fell asleep or so and crossed the median They hit a semi head on They’re dead"

"They’redead?" I said in disbelief

Weston wiped his face again and held his hand over his mouth "They’re dead Sonny and Alder are dead" His eyes ide, and est ties He sighed and shook his head "The ru" He put down the phone "Should I take you home?"

"Whatever you want to do If you want to be alone, I can walk hoainst hiainst the pillows, but we didn’t sleep

Chapter Nine

The funerals were held together the following Saturday I didn’t go, because it didn’t feel right, but Weston stopped by the Dairy Queen afterward to fill me in He toldup well and leaned on each other for support He talked about what the funeral looked like, who ran the service, what songs they played and as there But he seeo?" Frankie said "He needs you today"

"I" I looked to Weston "Do you want me to take off?"

He looked pitiful "Please?"

I pulled off my apron and tossed it on the counter "Thanks, Frankie"

She winked at h the back door, and went i his head inti on, so I kept hter

Once his arms relaxed, he handed me his keys "Would you drive?"