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I’m halfway up the central staircase when Odette’s robed silhouette co a hard start to my heart I suck in my breath and clutch the handrail for balance

“You scared me,” I said

“Where were you last night?” She peers down her nose at me

“I went to Petty Cash,” I say, “and then ent to someone’s house afterward I crashed there”

The way she studies ain

Sliding her hand along the polished banister, she givesinto theto iven his current state

I peel out of my dirty clothes, take an extra hot shower, and wash Wyatt Buchanan from every last inch of me

But hours later, the i me drive off still haunts my mind The pained expression on his face and the way he stood there so perfectly still, like he was lost in his own thoughts, gives me pause

Ito determine if a boy likes her or not He told me he keeps my picture because he misses me, and he chose that line shack because it felt like hoot eren’t pretending And on several occasions he says he can’t tell ether Not that he won’t—but that he can’t

Soo

And heaven help the bastard when I find out who it is

24

Wyatt

“Sleep in today, did you?” Ma at the wooden clock on the wall she adds, “You’re usually here before the sun comes up”