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Roxie’s hands go to her hips, and her lips part as if to protest, but Sawyer ignores theoing so far? You taking it easy?"

BFF Sarah rolls her eyes, mutters, "Whatever," and walks out the door, then stands in the hallaiting for Roxie

"It’s good," I say My one completely dry fro the door close hard behind her

I press ether and form a smile "That ell"

"I don’t want to talk about them," Sawyer says He leans toward ers intome close I close ers and lips, echoing in hts as hts like how I saw his bare, bony torso once when the boys played shirts and skins in fifth grade, and now, even though he’s still lean, his sinewy arms and back are roped with muscle, and I really want to see that chest once more

When I come to my senses and realize the trouble we’ll be in if Mr Polselli walks in right now, I reluctantly pull back, a little breathless

Sawyer opens his eyes "I’ve been waiting a long tiers from my hair and smooths it back into place

"Tell et a little shy, because here we are, in school, having hardly spoken to each other for years, and noe’rewith Sawyer is so new and raw, but in another way, it feels like the ression We were so close before, and I still feel like I know him, you know?

"So" I say, still tasting hi public with this? And if so, is that a good idea?"

He grins "I’ve been thinking about that, and you know, Jules, I don’t want to hide it But it’s up to you If you feel like we need to because of your parents, I totally understand Obviously"

"What about your parents and your grandfather?"

Sawyer’s face sets "Like I said in the hospital, I’aers across his cheekbone, i him, and let my hand rest on his arm

"He can’t hurt me anymore," he says in a quiet voice, and I feel his biceps twitch through his sleeve "Besides, I’ve got other shit to worry about"