Page 17 of Falling

Her lips press into a thin line. “Oh.”

I scratch the back of my neck. I have no problem talking about it. Honestly, I’m surprised it didn’t come up when we talked about Carter on our date. I just hate the way other people get weird about talking about therapy. It’s a normal and natural thing, especially when you’re going through a hard time. It’s felt like some big, bad secret that the whole team has been keeping since it started. There’s nothing wrong with getting help, and if it’s accessible to us, we should use it.

“We have to go once a week,” I explain. “The school organized it. They started doing them after we lost Carter, but most guys dropped out after a few weeks.”

“Then why are you still going?” she asks quietly.

“I feel like I owe it to him, you know?” I say, and it’s not the only thing; I owe him so much more than that. “When people drop out, it just shows who actually cared about him. Yeah, it might suck having us all break down while a stranger tells us how valid our feelings are, but those guys are my family. I’d rather cry in front of them than do it alone.” Wren smiles softly, and I can tell she doesn’t know what to say. I shake my head, wanting to change the subject. “Anyway, I came here because I wanted to update you on how the book is going.”

Her face lights up, and that dimple I’ve missed pops right back out. “How is it? Are youlovingit? It’s my favorite enemies-to-lovers book to recommend.”

“Oh, for sure. It might be the best book I’ve ever read. Truly life-changing,” I say with as much conviction as I can muster, but it’s fucking difficult.

The excitement dies on her face, and she frowns. “You hate it.”

“Wrenny, baby, I’mtrying.I’m two hundred pages in, and they haven’t even kissed yet. Or even held hands. You said it was a romance. That was false advertising,” I argue.

I don't know what's more surprising—the fact that I’m twohundred pages into a romance novel or the fact that they haven’t even kissed.

Wren sighs. “It’s aslowburn, Miles. They’re building up the tension, and when they eventually fuck each other’s brains out, the wait is worth it.”

“Theyfuck?I thought they were otherworldly beings from the fifth dimension. Do they even have the necessary body parts to fuck?”

She holds a hand up to me. “Okay, I’m going to pretend that you didn’t just butcher the language used to describe the book and you’re going to stop pretending that you didn’t know the book had sex in it.”

“Ididn’tknow that!” I whisper-shout as people slowly start to filter into the huge space. Her eyes flash with worry, but I continue talking, leaning in closer to her. “I read books about sports, Wren. And let me tell you, there is no kissing and fucking involved.”

She leans in and whispers, “And that’s why they’re so boring.”

She smiles smugly, and I can’t help myself. I grip both sides of her face, shaking her head slightly, and she giggles. The sound is enough to kill me.

When I stop shaking her and we’re just smiling at each other, I say, “You’re so wrong I want to kiss you.” The words are already out of my mouth, and I’m staring at her like I might do exactly what I said. She stares back at me, and for a second, I think she might want me to. I clear my throat, dropping my hands from her face. “In a very platonic and friendly way, of course.”

“Of course,” she whispers, nodding. More voices fill the room, and she steps back. “You should probably get going. Darcyhateshockey players, and I don’t know if you know this, but you’re kind of a big deal around here.”

“You’re right. I didn’t notice. Thanks for the ego boost.” Ichuckle, drumming the barrier before walking away. “I’ll see you around, Wren.”

“I hope not,” she calls, but I can tell she’s smiling.

8

WREN

“I WANT TO SEE HIS LADY PARTS.”

Eva

We’re so fucked.

Mary

Tell me about it.

Augustus

I think the bake sale idea isn’t too bad.

That’s a terrible idea.

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