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When I finish and look at him, I notice a tear fall out of his eye. He sniffles and straightens his back.
“I had no idea what kind of an asshole Aaron really is. I’m not going to fuck with him anymore. Fuck that piece of shit.”
I don’t realize I’m crying until hot tears slide down my face. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me, Len. I just wish we knew sooner, but I understand why you wouldn’t want to tell anyone. I thought about filing a report with the fraternity, but they’ll investigate, and I wasn’t sure if you wanted that.”
I choke on a sob. “Thank you again.”
“Stop thanking me. I’m not that nice of a guy.”
“You’re a lot more human than I thought you were, Landon.”
“No, I’m really not. I mean, I definitely ain’t a rapist, but I’d still call myself a monster.”
I stop and look at him. “You know what? I understand that more than you can imagine.”
“Now that’s fucking scary.”
I laugh through my tears and scoot closer to him on the hood so I’m able to rest my head on his shoulder. It’s awkward and weird, considering it’s Landon, but he’s here, and right now, he’s the only shoulder I’ve got to lean on.
“Oh, are you looking for round two?” Landon laughs, and I laugh harder while still crying.
“No way. Ev already wants to kill me. I’ll be dead for sure…”
“Nah. She loves you. She’s been freaking out since you left. You should call her.”
“Yeah,” I manage to say as I watch the waves crash against the shore with my head still resting on Landon. For some reason, it’s comforting at this moment.
“You know, we really are a lot alike,” Landon says.
I spit out a laugh as tears continue to slowly fall down my cheeks. “Come on, don’t upset me any more than I already am.”
He cackles. “Haha, you know it’s true.”
“Dear God, is this my punishment?”
“Haha, maybe. But still, we know I’m always right.”
I lift my head off his shoulder. “Okay, don’t get carried away.”
We hang out for a little while, and then Landon drives me back to my car.
He feels like a friend, which is weird but nice, and there’s an understanding between us because maybe he is right—maybe we are more alike than I thought. It’s a scary idea, but there’s a lot of truth to it.
“Take however much time you need, but let everyone know you’re okay. Unless you want me to?”
“No, I’ll do it. Thanks again, Landon. For everything.” I smile, and he smiles back.
“It’s good to see that pretty smile of yours. Now go on, get out of here. I’m already late.”
I watch him leave, and when I get back in my car, it’s a little easier to breathe again.
Chapter19
Holden
A couple of days later,I’m studying for finals in my room when my phone rings. Landon’s name flashes on the screen.
