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"Neither does Avery," Nate snaps "Herand was never found, her father is an asshole and her brother isherself stupid? Your past only defines you if you let it"

My heart sinks and I take another step back as Korey looks at aze o to my room now?"

"Jesus, Nathaniel," Lez barks, turns to his son "What the hell is wrong with you? Look, you’ve upset the girl Wasn’t your business to share her family situation"

Nate turns to me and his eyes widen as he realizes what he’s done He’s thrownins

"Can I just lay down?" I say, laring at Nate

She brushes past hi me down the hall I hear Nate curse but I don’t stop or turn around Korey leads e, wooden door She opens it and I step into a gorgeous room that’s exactly like the rest of the house--wooden walls, wooden floors There’s also a fireplace, a double bed, and sos on the walls

"This is our guest room I’ve made it up for you"

"Thank you, Korey," I whisper, ht

"I’ my shoulder "It wasn’t his place"

"It’s okay, I justwhen it was put like that it made me realize how truly screwedfor his sake, not yours Don’t let hih bitterly "They are a ht about?" she says, s down at me "That you didn’t let it ruin who you are I don’t know you well, but you seeirl, Avery Be proud of that"

"Thank you" I sht Would you likeyour cup of tea in?"

"Please," I croak

She disappears from the room and comes back a moment later with a cup of tea She places it down on the beside table and then turns to me "If you want to shower, there are towels in the bathrooain

"Goodnight, Avery"

"Goodnight, Korey"

~~~~

NATE

"Shit, Mo the rooe is on the rocks, Nathaniel," she says, her voice hard "You need to consider what you can do to fix it"

"Fix what?" I bark "You have no idea; none! She drinks, she argues with erous state Do you think I’d even be here if it weren’t for the fact that I’ins