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But I was alreadypast Hailey I ran to the back of the church and took the side door out There was a s area here, and I followed a worn footpath that led around back And that’s where I found her

She was staring up at the building but turned when I rounded the corner The girl literally took h all I wanted to do alk up to her and fold her into s were suddenly made of cement and I couldn’t move

She sniffled and pushed back that piece of hair that I loved and tucked it behind her ear For a few seconds there was only silence filling the space between us, a heavy, sad silence

I shoved my hands into the front pockets of my jeans, because I didn’t knohat else to do with theest loser on the planet Why hadn’t I been there for her? Had I screwed things up so badly that she didn’t want to talk to me?

“Hey,” she said, her voice hoarse and barely above a whisper

My chest tightened, and I had to force -ass lu my throat

“Everly, I’ else” I cleared my throat “Shit, I don’t knohat to say”

Wow Pretty y ever

“Yeah,” she said “So am I”

“Is there anything…I mean, I…” What the hell? Just say it

I found s and strode toward her, eyes focused, my heart open and my head finally clear When I reached her, I didn’t hesitate I just folded her into ht away, and da to break into a million little pieces

She went real quiet, and for a ain She wriggled a bit, and even though I didn’t want to, I let her go

We stared at each other for a long tih forenough for me to know that I didn’t care

I’d do whatever it took to irl

“I’lad that you’re here,” she said softly “My dad will appreciate it But Trevor, shutting me out because you felt sorry for yourself was selfish and wrong”