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Dad and Eli do that thing where they look at each other again and I slice et toif you are okay with this I’ you"

Eli scratches his jaw in that way that hides a sether and leans forward

"What if I said you’re safer with things going back to how they were?" Eli asks

"I’d tell you that it’s not your choice and that you aren’t the center of the universe"

Dad laughs Eli releases that grin that always makes me smile "She really is her mother, isn’t she?"

"One hundred percent," Dad ansith appreciation spelled out on his face

Not true "I’m also a little bit of both of you"

Their smiles fade and it’s there in their eyes, the desperation that’s aching withinto both of them

Eli readjusts in his seat and clears his throat "Does this have to do with Oz?"

My cheeks flare red-hot and I can barely peek at"It helps, but there’s more to Snowflake than you or him There’s Olivia and Cyrus and Violet and I have a cousin"

I e, but he’s a cousin, and I think I’d like to get to know hiet to know" My eyes drift over to Eli "Soet to know a lot better than I already do, plus as, brake," teases Eli "It’s not that complicated"

"Says you"

"Hey, you were able to drive when it counted" Eli rubs the area where he took a bulletfor me A bullet that secured my future away from my mother’s psychotic fa’s I still want her to go holare that infor in this moment is not an option "There’s been too reements have been made, but the dust needs to settle before I can be sure it’s solid I love that you want to be a part of this faes the back of his neck and I venture to continue with hio home now, that’s fine, but I want to come back here, and if people from Snowflake happen to wander to Florida, I’d like the chance to see the for your blessing"

"This is going to scare your mom," Dad says

It will and I’m sure there will be times I’ll be scared, too, but "I can’t let my fears or hers dictate my life anymore It’s time I explore the world"