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"Really?" His brow arches "What town are you fro him that I’m technically from The Subs because even now I’m ashamed of that fact Honestly, if I told him I was from there and then told him about my past, he probably wouldn’t be that surprised

"Get out," he says "I’m from Star Grove"

"You’re such a liar" How could that be possible? How could he possibly have lived only an hour away froht?"

"I’ me believe him

"That’s so weird that we only lived like an hour away frorees "I’ how many pretty boys stepped foot into The Subs I only ever saw one and he’s one I wish I’d never seen

When thoughts of Conner claw into h"

Now Tristan looks confused "About what?"

"About you and Star Grove and the fact that I thought only cowboys lived there," I tease, unable to helpto explode from the jitteriness

"Well, rin "Of course, that really all depends"

"On what?"

"On if you’re into cowboys"

"I know you’re not a cowboy" I hitch h the loop on the tool belt "You don’t have the look"

He chuckles, his eyes crinkling at the corners "And what look would that be? Cowboy hats and cowboy boots?"

I shakes "First of all, you don’t have the bow-legged walk" He laughs at me and I touch my hair "And you don’t have hat hair"

"Hat hair?" he questions "What’s that?"

I ruffle his hair, which is aets when you wear a cowboy hat"

He’s grinning at ivesturned on

I quickly withdraw ers to htthan the sun "I’m not a cowboy"

"Good, because I’reat I’ll be a disaster for repeating history if I’m not careful

My scars suddenly feel ten tiuy’s rule Pull or not, I didn’t coiven another chance at life and promised myself I’d do better and that it wouldn’t be about ure out why I’ one’s who protectedhome, what have you been up to?" I ask, desperate to keep the conversation si a little sad "Not much, but that’s kind of my MO"

"I doubt that’s true"

"Nope It’s totally true" He’s atte to smile it off, but it’s clear he’s bothered by his words

"Well, what do you do in your free tiet to the botto to flat out ask

"Hang out with Nova and Quinton Do school shit when I have classes" He shrugs "There’s not reallyI ever meant to do was make him depressed "Everybody has layers Some just don’t like to show theirs as much as others"

He stares blankly at me "I still see you’re as blunt as ever"

I shake h it’s kind of true "No way I’ood thing I like it" He tousles his locks back into place as he considers soe to his voice "I mean, for the last threeHe’s not just asking how I’ve been doing for the last threethe last three months after he had to stop Conner that day in the alleyway behind the bar I don’t really want to talk about that but the sincerity in his eyes almost makes me spill secrets that were never le with how to answer

How can I lie to him?

When he knows so much

About my secrets connected to my scars

And the stars

His blue eyes soften "Avery, if there’s soht was intense and I… I just want to make sure you’re okay"

Am I okay?

I’m not sure

We look at each other

Unsaid words

Secrets

Ones I don’t want to share

But kind of do

The way he’s looking at enuinely wants to know only if I’ up the wall I placed around myself There are no expectations in his eyes No alternativeright now

About Conner

My e

My divorce

My past and darkness of it

And I just ht tell him about…

Well, me

My lips part "I think you should know--"