Page 27 (1/2)

All this ti of Javier as practically a saint, this aly wonderful s I knew Lorenzo had adored him, and I’d wondered how I could possibly compete with his memory But there’d been so much more to the story

“I’lad you told me about this,” I said “It needed to be let out, since ityou up inside”

“It was, but now I feel like an asshole”

“Why?”

“Because you’re going to think Javier was a terrible person He shouldn’t just be reood with his life”

“But he shouldn’t be put on a pedestal, either He betrayed your trust, and he never confessed or apologized”

Lorenzo sighed “I kept waiting for a confession, especially at the end when he kneas dying I thought he’d want a clear conscience, but he never said a word about it”

“Why did this so-called friend decide to tell you about the affair?”

“We had an argury, and that was how he chose to lash out at me I didn’t believe him until he showed me the evidence on his phone”

I ular”

“No kidding” He rolled onto his side, and after a pause, he told o, since you probably have to be up early”

Even though I didn’t want to see, “Will you please stay with me until I fall asleep?”

His smile was so sweet, and he said, “Of course” I leaned the tablet against a pillow, and he talked to me quietly until I drifted off

Chapter 7

The next uy ofwith , Will This is Riley Pal you about”

Riley seemed nervous as he stepped forward and shook s, he asked, “Are you sure it’s alright if I stay here? I won’t be offended if you change your es with his tattoos, nose ring, and black-on-black jeans, T-shirt, and motorcycle boots But there was an unmistakable sweetness to him, which made me like him instantly