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“Do you like it?” Her voice is timid—not at all like the girl I know.
I nod. “I love it.”
Reaching for her, I wrap her in my arms and give her a tight hug. She lets out a breath, like she was holding it in this whole time. Did she really think I wouldn’t like it? Like her? She’s perfect.
“Just don’t let your parents see it.”
We both laugh. “Yeah, that would be embarrassing. I know just where to put it. Come on.”
The two of us go downstairs and into the den, checking to see if the coast is clear before I move the rug and pull up a loose floorboard. Savi’s eyes widen when she notices my secret hiding spot.
“That’s so cool! How’d you find that?”
“I was jumping around when it sounded different here. I keep all my best secret stuff in here.”
There are only a few items inside. A picture of Savi and me. The ticket stub from a baseball game I went to with my dad. The Hot Wheels car my mom wanted to throw away because it’s missing a wheel
. And now, Savi’s drawing.
I put the floorboard back and lay the rug over it again. No one knows this secret spot but Savi and I—and that’s exactly how I want it to stay.
Fury boils inside of me as I watch the girl who was supposed to be my best friend, more than my best friend, blatantly lie and help throw an innocent man in prison. Unable to control my anger, I throw the half-empty beer bottle across the room, seeing amber glass and liquid fly as it shatters against the fridge.
“Last time I checked, the recycling bin is in the garage.” My mom’s voice catches me off guard.
I turn around to find her standing in the doorway, holding a bag of groceries and looking at the mess I just made. “I’m sorry. I’ll clean it up.”
She shakes her head. “Don’t. I’ve got it. I don’t want you to cut yourself.”
Carefully crossing the room, I grab the bag from her and set it on the counter. “Where were you?”
“I had a job interview.” She gets the broom and dustpan from the closet. “And then I went to the store to get stuff for dinner.”
I nod, looking down at my hands. Since when did I start thinking the worst in people—my mom, especially? “I thought you were with Justin.”
She sighs, clearly upset by the mention of him. “He won’t be coming here again.”
“Why?” The level of concern grows rapidly inside me. “He didn’t hurt you again, did he? I swear to God, if he laid a hand on you—”
“No, no.” She calms me with a single look. “He didn’t touch me. You didn’t want him here, and you were right.”
“You got rid of him for me?”
“You’re my son, Grayson. I may have made some mistakes since we lost your father, but there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.”
AFTER CHOOSING TO SKIP school on Friday, I spend the weekend with my mom in Campton, visiting my aunt and cousins. It may only be about an hour away, but I haven’t been back since we moved. Tyson and I play football in the backyard during the day, and Saturday night, we end up at a party.
“Grayson?” Alexa looks surprised to see me. “I thought you moved.”
I give her a one-armed hug. “I did. I’m just visiting for the weekend.”
“Shame. I’ve missed you around here.”
The flirtatious glint in her eyes is clear, and who am I to deny her? I finish off my drink and place the empty cup down on the counter.
“Well, I’m here now.”
She takes my hand and leads me to an empty room. The second the door closes behind us, my back is against it, and her lips are on mine. It’s not the first time I’ve hooked up with her, or even the fifth, but something feels different. Her lips aren’t as soft as the last ones I kissed. Her body doesn’t fit against mine like we were made from the same mold. She doesn’t taste like strawberries and summer. She’s not Savannah.
