Page 83 of Perfect Boy

“Because I’m going back to Canada.” My teeth clatter, though I’m not even cold. “And he’ll be here.”

“What?” she cries out. “Why?”

Sitting up, I wipe my eyes. “Because if I don’t go to my court hearing and admit to a judge that I tricked Watson into marrying me just for citizenship and go back to Canada, he’s going to get dragged down with me.” I begin to sob like a baby yet again. “I love him, Sutton. I can’t let him take the fall for this.” I shake my head lightly. “I would never forgive myself.”

She’s silent, her eyebrows pulled together.

“How many days?” she croaks. “How many days until your court hearing?”

“Tomorrow,” my voice barely squeaks. “At ten in the morning.”

“Fuck,” she whispers. “Fuck.”

I nod slowly before another sob rips through me, and I crash my head against her chest. “Yeah. I know.”

I’m not just saying good-bye to my husband. I’m saying good-bye to my best friend too. To all my friends here at Brooks.

This girl right here has become like a sister to me. And I can’t imagine life without her.

Watson

After driving around for hours, I finally head home. When I pull into the driveway, I see Haley is the only one home. And seeing as all she does is go to class and sleep since she got pregnant with Cade’s baby, I’m not too worried about running into her. I hope I don’t anyway. The last thing I want to do is face anyone. Especially her since I can’t openly be a dick to Haley. Because, I mean, she’s Haley.

Heading inside, I quietly close the door behind me. And when I see her curled up under a blanket on the couch, I curse inwardly, knowing I can’t possibly walk by her. She’s too sweet, and she’s been through a fuck ton of shit lately. I can’t be a dick to her even if all I want to do is bolt to my room.

She looks drained, emotionally and physically—something I’ve noticed about her since Cade went away. And to be honest, I think she’s absorbing Cade’s pain and dealing with her own.

“Hey.” Sitting up slowly, she gives me a small smile before she frowns. “Are you okay?”

How bad do I look if she’s asking me that after a few seconds of seeing me? Jesus.

“Yeah, I’m good.” I give her a nod. “You?”

“I’m all right.” She shrugs, and I can tell she needs someone to talk to.

I’m sure, sometimes, it’s hard to talk to her brother, Hunter, about everything. After all, she got pregnant by his best friend and kept it a secret at first.

“I…I, uh…sent a letter to Cade with his parents when they went to visit him.” She chews her lip. “I just worry about him every single day he’s in rehab. I’m sure he’s fine.” Quickly, she shakes her head. “Anyway, I’m just hormonal. I’ve been crying a lot lately. So…ignore me.”

Haley and I have built this friendship, and since Cade’s been gone, it’s gotten stronger. But I’ve been so preoccupied with Ryann and spending all my time with her lately, I really haven’t checked in with Haley as much as I should.

Taking a seat next to her, I throw my arm around her shoulders, pulling her against my side. “He’s okay, Hales. And I bet you he’ll send you a letter back any day now.”

“I don’t know if he will. I’m not going to get my hopes up. But if he did…it would make me so happy. Even if he told me he hates me. I just want to hear something from him. Anything to tell me he’s still…Cade.” She stops, looking up at me. “Watty, are you sure everything’s okay? You seem a little off. And you look…sad.”

I swallow, looking straight ahead. “I’m not right now, but I will be.” I pause. “I hope anyway.”

Who am I kidding? I’ll never get over Ryann. She’ll forever be a ghost haunting me.

“Do you want to talk about it?” she says softly.

“Nah. Not yet.” I shrug.

I can’t talk about it. I don’t want to even say the words out loud. Partly because I feel like an idiot. And also because I know once I say it out loud, it’s out in the world.

And I can’t imagine a world where Ryann Denver moves back to Canada and I don’t see her again.

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