“Raelyn?”
“The girl you dated in college.”
Raelyn wasn’t just a name. She was a hush. A look passed over coffee. Conversations that bent the second I walked in, like I’d stepped into something halfway told. They smiled at me tightly, asked how my day was going, and then they continued to whisper once I walked past.
I steady my foot on the next rung, fingers tightening around the rail.
“Everyone was quiet when I walked in,” I say, softer now. “That usually means something mattered.”
Milo sighs. “There was no Raelyn.”
“What?” My voice is so low, I’m not sure he can hear me.
“I didn’t date anyone named Raelyn.”
“Everyone knew about her,” I argue.
“Well then, everyone was wrong.”
“Everyonewas wrong?”
“Sadie, you can’t trust gossip.”
He has a point. Dusty Hollow has always let its rumors outrun the truth.
“Okay, then what about Heather?”
“Heather who?”
“The girl you broke up with when you were drafted,” I say, my breath becoming more ragged with every step I take on these metal rungs that feel like they are sawing through my soles.
“I didn’t break up with anyone when I was drafted.”
“Evelyn?” I ask, my voice high-pitched as I look out and see the tops of trees already below us. My knuckles turn white as I grip the ladder tighter.
“There was an Evelyn,” he confirms. “We dated for two months.”
“Was she nice?”
“Shewasn’t mean.”
“So, you liked her?”
He chuckles under his breath. “Well, I’m pretty sure I did since I dated her.”
“Was it serious?” I ask, a sudden pang of jealousy creating scenarios of intimate moments between Milo and a woman I don’t even know. In my mind she’s blonde with airbrushed skin, has a laugh that rivals a babbling brook, and is more fun than I am.
“As serious as talking about the weather,” he answers.
The wind suddenly whips around the tower, tugging at my T-shirt. I freeze and pull myself tight against the ladder. I send up a prayer that today is not my last.
“You’re doing good, Sadie,” Milo says calmly but firmly. “You can do this.”
I swallow hard. “Milo?” My voice is shaky.
“I’m here.”
“Did you miss me?”
