Page 560 of End Game

His hands stay at his sides. “You sure you don't want me to come?”

“Yes.”

“I can sit in the car.”

“No.”

“Across the street?”

Despite myself, my mouth moves into a smile—barely. “No.”

His expression softens.

Then he waits.

I close the distance.

His arms go around me hard.

Harder than usual.

I hold him just as tightly.

For a few seconds, I let myself think about staying.

Ordering food.

Going down to the basement with Ronan.

Falling asleep with Dex wrapped around me.

Doing this tomorrow.

Or next week.

Or never.

Then I step back. “Don't eat the leftovers.”

Dex's mouth twitches. “Now who's being controlling?”

“Throw them away.”

“You're not my real dad.”

“Thank God.”

Cami laughs, but her eyes stay wet.

I leave before anybody says anything else.

My parents' house is twenty-seven minutes away.

I've driven there hundreds of times.

The route hasn't changed much.

Same grocery stores.