Page 66 of Always Him

“That’s who you get it from. The pouting,” he says, eyeing my lips.

“It’s a skill I’ve honed over the years,” I reply with a smirk. “I learned from the master.”

I jut out my bottom lip and blink up at Finn.

“Kiss me again, Finn.”

He lets out a huff. “Later.”

Mmm, yes, Finn. Later, I’ll hold you to it.

sixteen

SIX YEARS AGO

FINN

He’s crying,tears slipping down his cheeks as he clings to me, and I feel so helpless.

“Stop,” I say softly, brushing the wetness away with my thumbs, but Landon is too worked up. They just cascade down his face, dripping off his chin.

I glance at my dad who is sticking the last box into the U-Haul before closing the back with a loud clatter.

“We’ll talk every day,” I choke out, feeling the sharp sting in my eyes. I blink it away rapidly. My stupid heart can’t handle this.

It’s breaking. It hurts to breathe, to move. I have ceased existing. Soon I’ll just wither away into nothing but dust.

“Promise?” Landon chokes out, his lip wobbling. It’s been Logan, Landon, and me since I moved here, but while Logan is my best friend, Landon is so much more. He holds a piece of my soul.

“Yeah,” I say, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Every day. I promise. You’re my closest friend. I won’t forget you.”

“I’ll never forget you,” he says, his words coming out muffled.

He throws his arms around me and presses his face into the side of my neck, clinging. My dad calls my name. Just once, but it’s enough. It’s time.

I’m leaving him.

My home.

Landon’s arms slowly release me, and I press a gentle kiss to the top of his head, just breathing him in. And then, like he can’t bear to step away, Landon throws his arms around me once more and squeezes.

We pull away slowly, Landon swiping his hand across his wet cheeks and I turn to look at Logan. Goofy fucking Logan who is pretending not to cry. And doing a terrible job of it.

“Text me, yeah?” Logan says with a sad smile.

I nod and then throw my arms around him too. Because while I’ll mourn the loss of Landon, I’ll miss the fuck out of Logan. God, I’ve never had such a good friend before, so unwavering and true.

“Finn!” my dad calls again, the unfeeling asshole. But I know it’s time to go.

I make my way to the truck and hop inside, my eyes fixed on Landon as we drive away, his head on his brother’s shoulder. Until I can’t see him any longer.

I don’t know how I’m going to manage this, this distance. I feel like I won’t survive it.

Landon:I miss you already.

Landon:I love you.

The texts stare up at me and then smear across the screen as my first tear rolls down my cheek.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com