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"I never asked you to"

I tapped ht the vibe" I winked "I can readher head "I can’t deal with this Can you just drop Eric off somewhere where there are medical professionals?"

"He’ll be fine Don’t worry And you shouldn’t go to Delray’s place Call his roommate Have him meet you somewhere else, so there for Delray You don’t want"No I’ll go with Claire And we’ll call We’ll have him meet us somewhere safe Can you just--"

She looked over my shoulder at my vehicle "Why did he come back?"

"Look at me I’ll find out why he’s here"

"You won’t hurt hirin

She added, "Any more?"

"You really don’t want h "No He’s an asshole and a coward, and I think he deserved getting hit, but he doesn’t need to get beat up anyo and held both of mine up in the air "I’ll be nice We’ll just…chat"

She shook her head "Why don’t I believe you?"

I winked "Because you know the reala kiss to her forehead, I motioned for Claire to come over When she did, I said, "Take care of her, at least until I can coave me a firm nod and took Taylor’s hand in hers "I’ll take care of her"

Taylor gave me a tentative wave and smile as she followed her friend to her car But there was a look in her eyes--the same look she’d hen she told me what happened to her mom And that didn’t sit ith me

Not at all

THE LETTER

TAYLOR

"What do you think is in those letters?"

Claire hadn’t shut up since we’d gotten in her car Normally, I didn’t mind her chatter I liked it even It had helped while I’d been on the too-quiet side this past year, but tonight--with a headache for I already knehat lay ahead--she was too much for me I rubbed at my temples