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I should collect his s and whatever is in his roooing to repossess everything they have Or worse, sohborhood will ransack it

I sit up with a start, terrified that Asher will literally lose everything he has I never want to go back to that place, but I’ll never forgiveimportant to him is stolen I wipe my eyes with the back ofdark shadows throughout the house

“Oh,” Mom says, startled to see me when she turns around “You're up I didn’t know if I’d see you tonight”

“I have to go” I don’t sound likeMy throat clenches, begging for a glass of water, but there’s no ti I can find then get to the school to hts trail off I drove to Asher’s house I left my car there Where is my car?

“Oh, no You’re not going anywhere” Mo spoon on the counter She crosses the kitchen to where I’uides me to a kitchen stool

I collapse into the chair and rest ht I knehat heartbreak was I thought the tightness in my chest and the ind of insecurity and hate I felt when Lia Those emotions are minuscule corinder My chest is being squeezed in a tourniquet and my head feels like it’s about to explode All of that paired with the tears that rarely stop flowing and the blanket of darkness that’s wrapped itself around

“What’s going on, sweetie?” Mom’s eyes are red-rimmed and puffy from her own tears Her makeup, which is usually a thin layer of eyeliner and mascara, has washed away She looks older Tired “Where do you want to go?”

“I have to go get Asher’s stuff” I’ and withoutat mom I take a breath to try and cals I take another and another, each one less effective than the last Spots cloud

I don’t knohen Moot up and left me but at solass of water in front of me “Drink,” she orders

I toss the pills in my mouth and chase them with a sip Within a few s fill with air and the brown spots clouding ether, worry wrinkled nestled between theain?”

I shrug, feeling e the bla about how he’s beco witharound Besides that one, it’s been at least a year”

Mom nods It’s been a crazy, unexpected feeeks Never in my wildest dreams did I think Liam would turn his back on me or that Asher would become the person I turned to the s The house is a criht now, but as soon as it’s cleared, he has a coeable”

“His et it before someone steals it”

“Sweetie” Mo “Your dad has already thought of that It’s safe in the garage”

I sniffle, tears of relief ready to pour out of , hasn’t he?”