Page 19 (1/2)

“I won’t be walking with you to , so Tuesdays and Thursdays I’ll be going in at 6”

I nod slowly “Alright”

“So just …” He seeuess, like, just …” His deep voice grows deeper and duuess, just … just don’t say or do anything Like, to annoy him Just keep out of his way or … or whatever He shouldn’t be a problem”

“He shouldn’t be a proble about Hoyt?”

Lee squints at me “Of course I am Who else?”

I don’t even kno to respond to that “We’re in English together And he’s in htful new phys-ed requireht I’ll just ‘try to keep out of his way’ Golden nugget of wisdoht there, Lee Thank you”

He frowns “No need to be a dick about it Just trying to help”

“You can helpless,” I throw back casually, then slip into the shed, pulling the door shut behind me

It’s only then, while sitting in front of , when it dawns on me that Lee didn’t, despite my fears, tell either of our parents what happened at school today He could’ve easily spilled when ue

Not that I’ He’s still half a Hoyt minion, as far as I’itimate secrets about Vann

Still, the fact that he said nothing to Mom or Carl is a comfort I didn’t realize I desperately needed And with thatin on the other conundru the internet forabout him Hours later when I decide to head back to the house to take a quick shower afterhts are all Vann

And his brooding, adorable, contempt-filled face

And his stupid-hot, sleeveless leather jacket

And his protective, brash demeanor

And his brooding, adorable, conteain

And that piercing look he gave me when I uttered those two little words—“Thank you”—before he marched into the principal’s office And how after he left, his eyes still somehow stayed burned into my mind, like they had become a part of me in that moment