Page 137 (1/2)

Then I get a flash of flannel rushing toward me

I barely stop in ti into his chest

Vann’s chest I blink the sunlight out of , lopsided s into hiht around one at once as I stare into his eyes, lost for a minute in a country-boy dream with Vann He could have been born and raised here We could have grown up together, had one another’s backs, and braved this dusty, countryside town together For as lost as he’s been in so many different cities, and as lost as I’ve been in this one Texas toe could have found each other

His s into my arms”

“What’s goin’ on here?” I softly ask, lost in his eyes “Are you doing so?”

“Oh, is it that obvious?”

“Holy crap You really are doing a Reverse-Sandy-fro? Withthe Spruce spirit? Making up with Hoyt like that? Borrowing his clothes?”

“Just the belt buckle The rest was a bit of a shopping spree on Main Street, which Hoyt helped out with We ran into each other at Spruce Fellowship It’s a long story”

“Spruce Fellow—” I gape at him “You went to church??”

“The truth is, Toby, I’d do just about anything to prove to you that I’ declaration—like another piece of theatre This is our lives I want this to be a conversation A dialogue I want you to see that I’ what I need to do to be a better guy for you … and formy back, his arms still around ive this another shot You don’t even have to decide this week Hell, wait until school’s out for winter break if you ”

“Vann …”