Page 94 of The Darkest Parts of Me

“Nate and Tasha actually have a lot in common. Both talk us into doing things we don’t want to. It’s kind of annoying, actually,” Renn says, then smirks at Nate.

“If you’re talking about the time we got lost in that asteroid field, that doesn’t count—that was a dare.”

Renn rolls his eyes. “He was always getting me into trouble, to say the least.”

Nate grabs a pillow to chuck at him. Just then, Renn’s phone starts buzzing. He gives me a look, and I laugh lightly.

These damn phones are always interrupting everything, his eyes seem to say.

Renn kisses me quickly on the cheek before making his way over to the door. “It’s the shop. This will just take me a minute. Be nice,” he says, shrugging his coat on again.

“Which one of us are you talking to?” I ask.

“Both of you. I’ll only be gone for a few minutes.” Nate does a sort of a half salute, and I give him a reassuring smile as Shy follows him outside and he shuts the door softly behind him.

“I’ve never seen him like this before,” Nate says.

“Yeah, I’m sure it’s weird seeing him living such a different way of life.”

Nate chuckles softly to himself.

“What?” I ask, confused.

“That’s not what I meant,” he says, smiling. I move to sit next to him on the couch and wait for him to go on. “I mean I’ve never seen Renn in love.”

His words surprise me. I shake my head. “I’m sure that’s not true,” I say with a sad smile.

“I’ve known him for a long time, and I may not have seen him for six years, but I’ve never heard him talk about anyone like this, or act like this around anyone ever. You mean a great deal to him.” His voice is kind as he holds my gaze.

“I don’t want him to go,” I suddenly say, my voice quieter than I mean it to be.

Nate gives me a sad smile. “I know.”

“Will he come back?” I ask.

“Nothing is ever a guarantee in space.” Nate scans my face like he’s trying to decide if I can handle the truth, and he must decide I can because then he says, “And the association might need him to stick around for a while, but it’s hard to say. What I do know for sure is that Renn is a loyal man, and once he finishes his duty, he will keep his promise to you.”

I don’t realize I’m crying until I feel a tear slide down my cheek. I spy a flicker of remorse in Nate’s big brown eyes, but then he takes my hand and squeezes it softly.

“I’m trying to be strong for him, but . . .” I say, but can’t finish the sentence.

“I’m sorry about everything you’ve been through. I can understand, to an extent, based on what Renn told me about what happened with Locke. It was brave of you to stay by his side. You are braver than you realize, especially now that you know everything. Renn is lucky to have found you,” he says.

I smile at him because his genuineness warms my heart. “I’m sorry about your friends. I can’t imagine what that must have been like,” I say.

“Thank you, Maven. It was . . . the worst day of my life.” He pauses for a moment, clearing his throat. “But I would do it again if given the choice. Renn is still my captain, afterall, but most importantly, he’s my best friend.”

This time, I squeeze his hand as I say, “I’m glad he has you, and that you’ll be with him for whatever comes next.”

“I’ll take care of him. I promise,” he says as he places a hand on top of mine. “Trust me when I say I wish we didn’t have to do this, but it’s vital, for many reasons.”

I nod, feeling the emotion build in my chest. “I know, and I want him to finally have closure. I hope this will help him.”

Nate just smiles back at me for a moment. “I can see why he loves you.”

I smile, brushing away another tear just as Renn comes through the door with Shy, who runs toward Nate immediately—jumping onto his lap.

“First Maven, now Nate? I really am at the bottom of your list now, aren’t I?” Renn says as he dramatically clenches his heart. Then he takes in our faces. “What were you guys talking about?”

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