Page 116 of Fall With Me (Sugarland Creek)

When the news broke about Talia's death and Angela's connection to it, her family got a lot of heat from the community. They weren't painted in a positive light since they stood by Angela, and if I remember correctly, her parents lost their jobs and ended up divorced.

When my head stops spinning, I stand and pull in my chair.

“Where're you going?” Waylon asks.

“I need to talk to Noah before I decide what to do.”

I'm not the only one this affects. Noah and her have been friends for four years and if Ellie believes I'm the reason Angelawent to prison, the ripple effect wouldn't stop at just me. It’d tarnish their working relationship, too.

“Breathe, Landen.” Noah smacks my cheek when I don't exhale.

I blink a few times until my eyes focus on her standing in front of me.

“They'recousins…” I repeat for probably the tenth time.

“Yes, I heard you the first dozen times. Stop freakin' out or I'm gonna have to slap you.”

I press a palm to my sore cheek. “You already did.”

She lifts one shoulder. “Harder next time.”

“Are you gonna tell me what to do or just assault me?”

“I'm thinking…” She paces up and down the aisle between the stalls of the stables. “Have you called her?”

“Not yet. She had plans with her parents tonight and we usually FaceTime before bed, but we made dinner plans tomorrow night instead.”

“Okay, so assuming she has no idea about that article, you're gonna have to tell her. Let her read it and see if it sparks anything. If it doesn't, encourage her to ask her parents.”

“And what if her parents take Angela's side?”

“They don't strike me as the type or they never woulda let y'all date or be fake engaged in the first place. Plus, they let hertrain here for four years. So either they didn’t know the level of hate she had for you or they didn’t agree with it.”

“But she could remember hating me.”

“Yes. She could…” She nods. “And you've been mentally preparing for that to happen this whole time and?—”

“I can't let her go.”

“No. You fight like hell for her, Landen. Whatever story Angela told her can be argued by the truth and if she's fallin’ for you as hard as you're obsessed with her, she'll probably give you a chance to share your side of the story at least.”

But what if she doesn't?

Nodding along, I wipe my sweaty palms down my jeans.

“Maybe I should wait until we can talk in person tomorrow night.”

“As long as you understand she still might not remember, or on the flip side, not wanna hear your side if she does.”

“God. How'd this get so fuckin' complicated?”

“You pursued a girl who forgot she hated you…”

“Thank you, Captain Obvious. Now give me some useful advice or?—”

Noah's phone going off with a text interrupt my thoughts.

When she pulls it out of her pocket, she snaps her gaze to me. “It just got a lot more complicated.”

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