Page 42 of Last Boy

But most of all, we used to come to this together, he and I. He knows how much this means to me.

I could screw up. And he’ll be out there, in the crowd, watching me.

Peering up into the crowd again, I wonder where he’s sitting. I know he can’t see me because I’m hidden in the dark wing of the stage. And though I wasn’t all that nervous before…I sure as hell am now.

There are hundreds of people here. But really…he’s the only one who matters.

Walker

I’m not sure how I’m still alive right now. I swear I’ve spent this entire performance hardly breathing. My eyes were fixed on Poppy and how her body and soul moved around the stage so gracefully.

When she dances, the pain that usually lives on her face disappears, and the hardness in her eyes melts away. Left behind is an angel—one who was born to be on a stage.

“You’re staring at my sister,” Jake says, elbowing me gently.

“I can’t help it,” I admit just as she leaps into the air, stretching her legs out before landing on her feet again.

“I know,” he whispers, patting my arm with his hand.

Jake is dressed to the nines tonight. He was so excited to come to this when I picked him up. I found him in a tuxedo, smiling like a fool.

His sister might be his biggest cheerleader, but he’s hers right back.

“She doesn’t look sad when she dances,” he says slowly and thoughtfully. “She used to have that same look when you were around.”

I know he didn’t mean to, but his words cut me deep. Just knowing that for a long time, she trusted me. Probably more than she trusted anybody else in the world. She’d smile at me. Like…really smile. Not the forced one I see her give people sometimes.

Now, she’ll barely look me in the eye. And I can’t help but think about all the bad things that could have happened to her when I was gone. I wouldn’t know because I wasn’t there. I have no clue what she had to endure, and the thought alone makes me sick.

The show ends, and as they call her name and she takes a bow, I stand, cheering loudly as I clap my hands together. Jake brings his fingers to his mouth and whistles loudly.

“I still haven’t figured out how to do that!” I tell him, laughing. “I’ve tried so hard to learn.”

“What can I say? I’m the man,” he tosses back, clapping his hands.

Once everyone starts to exit the stage, Watson Gentry heads toward me.

“Ryann delivered the flowers to your girl, man.” He holds his fist up, bumping it to mine. “How long has this thing between you two been going on anyway?”

“Since they were kids,” Jake says, answering for me. “He’s very in love with my sister.”

Watson laughs before holding his hand out to Jake. “I’ve heard a lot about you from my wife, man. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

“Wife?” I say, my mouth hanging open. “You and Ryann are fucking married?”

“You know it,” he says with a grin.

Jake steps forward, narrowing his eyes. “If you hurt her, I’ll have to hurt you,” he says, giving Watson a harsh glare. “Ryann’s the best.”

“She is.” Watson nods. “I’ll never hurt her. You have my word.”

“But if you do—” Jake starts, and Watson pats his shoulder.

“If I do, I give you permission to beat me senseless.”

Seeming satisfied with that answer, Jake finally shakes Watson’s hand. “Congratulations on marrying the prettiest girl on the planet.”

“Thanks, man.” Watson smiles. “I appreciate that.” He turns his attention back to me. “So, you and Poppy Wilson.” He laughs. “And here I thought, I had it tough with Ry. Poppy is…man, she scares me a little. I can’t lie.”

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