Page 22 of The Way We Score

Turning to the group, I do a little wave. “Nice to meet you Rave. Save some of those hurricane stories for me.”

“Will do!” she calls, and I hustle over to where Liv is helping her mom get the walker over the doorstop on the floor.

“I didn’t think you’d be back so soon,” Ms. Plum mutters fussily. “Your lipstick’s still in place.”

Liv’s brow furrows. “I don’t know what you thought would happen tonight.”

“I thought I’d catch a ride home with Rachel and Miss Gina so you two could have some alone time, but they left while I was getting more spicy blueberry sauce.”

“How many did you have?” Liv softly scolds, but when she sees me approaching, she blinks away fast. “Nevermind, I need to get you home. You’re tired.”

“I’m not tired.” Ms. Plum sounds like Kimmie when she needs a nap, and I can’t help but chuckle remembering what Liv said about her mom treating her like a servant.

“Can I offer you ladies some assistance?”

“Oh, no, it’s okay—” Liv starts, and I wish it didn’t feel like she was retreating from me again.

I’m pissed as hell over what she’s been through, and I wanther to feel safe talking to me. I want her to know I’ve changed, and I wouldn’t treat her like the clowns she’s been dealing with these last few years.

Or like the clown I was in college.

“That would be lovely, thank you, Garrett.” Ms. Plum puts her hand on my forearm, nodding overtly at her daughter. “You never know what might be lurking in a dark parking lot.”

“I doubt there’s much more than a opossum or a raccoon, but that gravel can’t be easy for you to manage with this thing.”

She exhales a frustrated huff. “I’ll be glad when I’m off this walker.”

“That makes two of us.” Liv follows beside me, carrying all their things—her mom’s purse and her sweater.

She’s wearing a pretty red dress with a cherry pattern on the skirt and some kind of little ballet shoes with straps. I just noticed her in her signature color with her namesake fruit. Hell, I haven’t been able to tear my eyes from her pretty face or her soft hair or her sad smile all night.

“Y’all just let me know if you need any help.” I stop at the gold Lincoln Towncar her mother has driven for years. “It doesn’t take me any time to walk to your house.”

I used to do it all the time when we were in high school. I’d climb in her window after dark and sneak out before dawn. My stomach tightens at the memories, and I wonder if Liv still remembers. I wonder if it aches for her, too.

“We will!” Ms. Plum sings out, and I expect I’ll get a call.

“Thank you, Garrett.” Liv reaches out to touch my arm. “For everything.”

It sounds so final. “We’ve got all weekend. Dylan’s got all kinds of fun stuff planned.”

“Right.” She nods, helping me help her mom into the back seat before going to the driver’s door. “I’ll see you at the wedding.”

“If I don’t see you first.” I don’t want to let her go this way.

Luckily, she takes the bait. Her cute, upturned nose wrinkles,and she squints at me. “I’ve never understood that reply. Does it mean you’re going to avoid me?”

Exhaling a light laugh, I shake my head, reaching up to slide my thumb along the side of her cheek. “Not me. I’d never avoid you, Cherry. I’ll be looking for you.”

Her cheeks flush, and she looks down to open the door. “Goodnight, Garrett.”

I step back to let her go, softly bidding her goodnight. For several minutes after they’ve left, I stand in the parking lot watching the taillights fade. My stomach is tight and I can’t decide if this was a good night or not. Was that a final goodbye or a longing one? How could I know for sure?

Laughter echoes from the restaurant, but I don’t feel like going back inside. Instead, I turn and walk up the hill to our family home where Dylan and Logan now live, and where I’m staying for the wedding.

Zane and Rachel briefly lived with them as well, but now they have their own place with Edward a little farther north, closer to Miss Gina’s.

I’ve just reached the door when my phone buzzes in my pocket.

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