Page 148 of You Fall First

“I do.”

“Maybe sooner,” she says.

“Try to keep me away.”

The stretch of road between this house and mine drifts beneath my tires like I’m flying. When I arrive, there’s only a faint glow of light in the front windows, so Paige and Dutton are either asleep or watching a movie on the couch. I pull out my phone to send Jo one last good night text, and find two messages from Dex.

Dex

Sounds good, brother. I trust you. But I’m gonna hold you to it.

Dex

Jojo deserves all in.

Yes. Yes, she does.

She deserves someone to be all in on her more than anybody. But I don’t want to volley back and forth texting with Dex about his sister right now. Not before I thank Jo one more time for the perfect first date.

Me

Still smiling. Might keep doing that all night.

I hit send and practically jog to the house, creeping in as quietly as possible so I don’t disturb Paige or Dutton. But my sister isn’t asleep or on the couch. She’s at the kitchen table.

“I’m a big boy, you know,” I say, my mouth on an angle. “You didn’t have to wait up.” I flip on the light, and she turns to me, tears shining in her eyes.

My smile dies, and I don’t even know why.

“Paige.” I drop to my knees, take her hand. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry, Noah.” Her voice catches. “But I can’t do this anymore.”

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Noah

My first feeling is relief that Paige isn’t hurt, and a gust of air blows from my lungs.

“No, I’m the one who’s sorry.” I stay on my knees, gripping her hand. “I thought you were okay with me going out with Jo tonight, but I shouldn’t have left you home alone so soon. That’s on me.”

Paige shakes her head, gulping back a sob, barely able to speak. “It’s my fault,” she manages to choke out.

“But you don’t know this town yet,” I say, my words weighted down by rocks. “You don’t know anyone. And I wasn’t here for you.”

Paige shoots her eyes up to the ceiling, then back down to me. “I was okay with you taking Jo out. I am okay with it. I wanted to be alone tonight. I needed time to think.”

Uncertainty moves through my abdomen, slithering like a snake. “About what?”

Paige blinks and blinks and blinks, but says nothing.

“What’s going on?”

She lets out a soft groan. “Dutton and I.” She pauses for a beat. “We can’t stay here.”

“Of course you can.” I give my head a shake. “Not forever. But for now, you⁠—”

“Noah.” She pulls her hand free. “I don’t want to stay here.”