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Theo wraps a hand around my wrist and tugs me forward.
This is why I brought Theo with me—to help me cope—and I’m so glad I did.
“You need to talk to him about it,” Theo says softly.
I sigh, noting that he hasn’t taken his hand off of my arm. I wonder if I could just hold his hand like we did in the parking lot of the gas station.
“I know. I’m just scared to face it,” I admit.
Theo’s thumb brushes against the inside of my wrist and goosebumps rise along my skin.
“He loves you. I can see it on his face when he looks at you.”
“I know.”
“Take care of the ones you love while you still have them, Logan. Because one minute they’re here and the next, they could be gone.”
My chest constricts at his words because I know what he’s lost.
“You’re right. I know you’re right, but fuck,” I say, running a hand along my jaw. “Why can’t I get past the guilt?”
He bites down on his bottom lip and then shakes his head. “I don’t know. If you find out, let me know.”
My gait falters. “What do you feel guilty about, Theo?”
He peeks over at me and opens his mouth to say something, but before he can, Landon and Finn move past us.
“Could you two walk any slower?” Landon taunts and then points to his prosthetic. “I’m missing a fucking leg and I can still beat you.”
My mouth drops open and I shake my head, a horrified chuckle bursting from me. Goddammit, Landon.
I quicken my pace and Theo follows as we speed-walk the rest of the trail. When we finally make it back to the entrance, we’re all short of breath.
“Damn you, Landon,” I pant, and he just smiles widely at me.
“I’m tired of you making a big deal of it,” he says with a shrug and leans into Finn. “I just want to have fun while you’re here. Let’s do one more trail and then get some food.”
I nod and Finn’s hand snakes around Landon’s hipagain.
I eye my best friend, but he averts his gaze.
Yeah, okay. I guess we’re all going to continue to pretend this isn’t a thing.
* * *
We make it through another short trail in the redwoods and then head to lunch at a small café on the edge of town. After stuffing our faces full of sandwiches and chips, we drive down to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk Amusement Park and spend our afternoon riding rides and eating junk food.
By the time we arrive back at the apartment, Landon is wiped out, and I can tell Finn is itching to get him off of his feet.
“We could watch a movie,” Landon says through a yawn, favoring his good leg and leaning heavily into Finn.
“I think they’re tired,” Finn interjects, pulling Landon closer to him.
My eyes settle on Finn’s hands and then I arch an eyebrow at him, which, of course, goes ignored. “I am pretty tired,” I agree.
“Hear that?” he tells Landon and then practically carries him back to the bedroom.
When the door closes with a snick, I turn to Theo.
