Page 96 of The Summer I Destroyed You

“Eventually he’ll hate me for it,” I whisper. “He’ll come to his senses, and then he won’t forgive me.”

She tips my chin up with her index finger, forcing me to meet her eye. “Emmy, that boy’s been crazy about you, as far as I can tell, for months now. There will never be a time when he doesn’t find a way to forgive you. You’ve just got to figure out how you’ll forgive yourself.”

I swallow. Could she be right? Is this a me problem—not a Liam one? I’m not sure, but I know I won’t find the answer crying here. “Thanks, Jeannie. I guess maybe I’ll head home.”

She smiles. “I think that would be wise.”

As I walk up the hill to Liam’s house, Jeannie’s words play over and over again in my head until I finally hear the truth in them.

She was right. The issue was never with Liam. He’s forgiven every shitty thing I’ve ever done, and he’ll forgive this one too.

This issue is me. And I won’t be able to forgive myself if I’m the reason he gave up his dream.

Only one of us can win, and if that’s the case…it needs to be him.

Even if it means blowing up everything I’d planned.

46

LIAM

On the morning of the Lucas Hall hearing, Em is sleeping so hard that even Frank’s crowing doesn’t wake her.

I have no idea what’s going on, but ever since I said I wasn’t going to fight her, she’s been off. She got up at the crack of dawn yesterday and didn’t return until long after I’d gone to bed.

And it all happened right after I told her I loved her.

Maybe it was too much, but it sure doesn’t bode well for us when she leaves for good.

She’s groggy, half-asleep, as I start to get dressed. She seems to have to force herself to sit up in bed. “Will you come today?” she asks. “To the hearing?”

I hesitate. I look like a quitter, with the way I dropped my plan. It was obvious, even during the initial hearing, that I wasn’t going to get my way, but I’d still have gone in there with guns blazing if it wasn’t for Emmy. Everyone who sees me watching her will think I’m a lovesick sap, and why shouldn’t they? That’s exactly what I am.

“Do you want me there?” I ask, hoping the question will prompt her to let me off the hook.

She nods. “I really do. I need you. It matters.”

She’s never once told me outright she needs me for anything. I have a full day planned, but there’s no way I’m failing her now. “Then I’ll be there.”

To watch you put the final nail in the town’s coffin.

And mine. Because this means you’re leaving.

I run around to check on my projects and pull up on Main Street just before noon.

The Princess

I’m waiting on the steps.

Pulling onto Main Street.

I’ve heard those words before. You’re not about to send Bradley out here to tell me she made you up, right?

Even Bradley’s fervent imagination couldn’t make up anyone as good in bed as me.

You’re okay.

I walk down the street and smile when I see her there, waiting.

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