Page 5 (1/2)

"Yeah, I know" Her posture relaxes "Sorry if I’ve sees at home have just been intense"

"Want to talk about it?" I ask as we enter the packed hallway

She swiftly shakes her head with her attention on the stairway "No I deal with it enough while I’m there, so ould I ever want to talk about it?"

"To let some steam off?" It’s more of a question since I have no clue what the probleh Wish she’d just open up to ain, she shakes her head

She remains quiet until we make it out of the house Then we both let out a breath of relief as the silence and warht encompasses us

"As hot as it is out here," she fans her hand in front of her face as she trots down the porch stairs, "it’s like ten degrees cooler than the inside of that house"

"That’s all part of the partying experience" I follow her off the porch, and then we hike up the driveway tohere "

"Me neither"

"Because of yourat the road in front of the house

I nod, ravel crunches under our shoes as we fall into an aard silence She makes a quick stop at a car so she can retrieve her phone and wallet

When she closes the door, she sputters an apology, "I’ about your mom out loud"

"It’s okay" We reach the Jeep and I open the passenger door for her "I never would have told you about her if I couldn’t handle you bringing her up"

She looks res around iving ht," she whispers then ducks in and closes the door

A hint of a smile touches my lips as I round the back of the car I hop in, rev up the engine, and then maneuver past the cars toward the road

Clara retrieves her phone frooing hoainst the buttons