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“Not surprised,” Taylor said slowly

And then she pinned ht It was all Taylor and all 115 pounds of attitude “If you ever do that again, I will hunt you down and kick your effing ass”

“Language, Taylor”

“Whatever, butthead”

Taylor got up “Your dad says that you have to go, Everly”

Everly’s eyes were on me when she whispered, “Okay Can I have one more minute with him?”

When the door closed behind Taylor, Everly collapsed on the bed, curling up against h I was tired as hell and hating everything about where I was

“Are you okay?” I asked

“He was there,” she said softly “In Baton Rouge I called him when you fell When the paramedics ca, and it was automatic, you know? I just…wanted my dad”

A heartbeat passed

“But now…”

I hugged her She was delicate and sirl was back Hated that I couldn’t s okay for her

“Now I have to go home with him, and I don’t want to, because after all this ti, and I know it’s crazy, but I’ged breath “He knows that I know He wants to talk”

“But isn’t that what you want? No more lies?”

“I thought so, but right now, I’ry at his lies, and I wish…I wish that I never called hi to all of us, but no I don’t knohat I want I’m afraid of the truth How screwed up is that?”