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I give him a look, then smack his arm, which takes more effort and hurts me more than it hurts him. “That’s not funny.”
He shrugs. “I know how your mind works.”
“You’re not going to tell me anything, are you?”
“Only what you need to know,” he says simply. “There’s a danger in knowing too much, Sage. How many times have I said those words to you?”
“A few times,” I admit. “I meant what I said, though. You might be able to live with yourself, but I can’t. It won’t solve anything.”
I know he’s telling me the truth, but that doesn’t mean he won’t carry out whatever they’re plotting after he drops me at my parents.
“It would certainly put an end to him ever hurting you or anyone else ever again. That’s a good enough reason for me.”
“How can that be your choice to make?”
“Because I’m involved now.” It’s always black and white to him. “So I should get to decide what happens to him for hurting you.”
I know now there’s no way I can ever tell him, or anyone, that Cam forced himself on me. That shame is mine. He will kill him for real without hesitation.
Nobody can know.
“I called you because you’re my friend, and I trust you,” I say, clearing my throat. “I could have just called the cops.”
“I’m not sorry you called me. I told you a long time ago, I’d always be there for you, no matter what.”
I squeeze his forearm as he turns to look at me. “Thank you, Fynn.”
“You sure you wanna go to Mo’s?” he asks suddenly.
I frown. “Are you flirting with me?” Knowing that Mo’s was our favorite hang-out then make-out spot.
He chuckles. “No, I’m trying to make you forget. If I were flirting with you,baby cakes,you’d know it.”
I swallow the lump in my throat.
His heart is in the right place. And he always did have the power to undo me.
“The answer to your question is, yes, I’m hungry,” I go on. “I didn’t eat at the hospital. The food made me want to vomit.”
He takes the next exit, and when we’re in the drive-thru, I make sure he asks for extra toppings.
Then he’s stopping by a bend in the Charles, where we can park. We look out over the water as we chow down on the dogs.
“I love Boston in the fall,” I sigh.
“There’s no place I’d rather be,” he agrees.
And a comfortable silence hangs between us as we eat, looking out to the gray water. It doesn’t feel like it’s been years since we’ve done this. And strange as it might be, it feels like the most natural thing in the world.
“Thanks, Fynn,” I say when we’re finished, and he starts up the car to drive me to my parents’ house. “I really needed this.”
“The hot dogs?” he asks, with a chuckle.
“No. For being you. For all of this. I feel safer now… I always do with you.”
He smiles. “You’ll always be safe on my watch.”
I don’t doubt it, not for a second.
