Page 559 of End Game

Griffin folds his arms. “Want someone to come with you?”

“No.”

Dex immediately says, “I can—”

“No.”

He stops.

This part I am sure of. “They're my parents.”

“So?”

“So I know them. And if any of you are there, they'll focus on you instead of listening to me.”

Ronan nods as if he understands.

Dex doesn't like it.

“I need to tell them myself.”

His eyes stay on mine. “What do you want from us?”

The question catches me.

Maybe because I expected him to keep arguing.

Maybe because that's a Micah question.

I am usually the one asking it.

“Be here when I get back.”

Dex doesn't blink. “Yeah, okay.”

Griffin nods. “Of course.”

Cami's arms fold tightly across herself, and Griffin pulls her closer to him.

Ronan simply says, “We will.”

I look between all four of them.

I almost tell them what I think will happen.

Mom will cry.

Dad will probably do most of the talking.

That's what I expect, anyway.

They'll tell me they love me.

They'll ask me to change.

They'll make it sound like the door is staying open while explaining all the ways it is closing.

Dex crosses the room slowly and stops in front of me.