Page 114 of Endgame

Navy wraps me in her arms and studies me intentionally, “Do you want me to listen or fix it?”She knows.Navy knows my parents would ask each other the same thing, and I always admired it.

“I love you, Navs,” I cry out to her, “but I’d never want to involve you. I’m just hurt.”

“Kodi, you will always be a priority to me,” she admits, pulling me back and reaching for my hand to draw me close to her. “But let me tell you something about my brother: hehas abandonment instincts. As much as I want to share them with you, I feel that’s his story to tell. But I can tell by watching the two of you together tonight that he loves you.”

I nod quietly, “I know. I can feel it when I’m with him.”

Navy looks at me carefully, “He should have done better by you; that’s a fact. Just give him a chance to explain and make things right. As much as he annoys the shit out of me most days, his heart is pure.”

I know it is. But I need him to know that the way he handled it was not okay.

“You better give him shit, though. He doesn’t get off that easy,” she adds.

The sound of Callaway’s Jeep rounding the corner confirms his return, and I take one last look at Navy before holding her tightly. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Navy Willow Hayes.”

Her soft giggle comforts me, “I am pretty great…kidding. Give him hell before you share your love for him. I know you love him, but it won’t kill him to sweat first.”

I’ve got the best friend in the entire world.

Navy disappears back into the house, leaving me here to wait for the inevitable.

A heavy feeling of nausea washes over me.

Oh, God. I’m gonna puke.

I stand back as Callaway’s Jeep pulls to a stop in the driveway.

He makes no move to get out. I don’t think he sees me, likely expecting me to have gone home after the show he put on.

I watch from the corner of the house as he grips the steering wheel in front of him while banging his head repeatedly. It’s not enough to hurt, but it’s clearly like he’s trying to rid his thoughts of something.

Join the club.

I’ll be trying to erase this night from my brain indefinitely.

A calm settles over me as I watch him stare into oblivion. Somehow, I understand that feeling. There’s a peace that comes with silence.

It is crucial for processing your thoughts.

Deciding I’ve been here long enough, I slowly walk from the side of the house and into his line of sight. I will call an Uber, but I want to give him a chance to speak first.

I will be the one to give him that.

He finds me in seconds as a look of shock paints his handsome face.

I’m standing outside the driver-side front tire, waiting for him to get out. He quickly opens the door before climbing out and staring at the ground with his arms crossed at his chest.

“You’re here.”Yes, because I don’t run from my problems.

“I am.” My voice is calm, and I hope he hears the hurt behind my words.

“Why did you stay?” He’s looking at me now. I knew he would wonder why I would stay; it makes sense.

“Because I didn’t want you to be alone. Not that you deserve that, but I couldn’t help it.”

He’s lost in thought. We both are.

This is one of those moments where I’m not sure the best way to go about this conversation. If I approach him defensively, he’s sure to react, but if I approach him gently, maybe we can talk through this peacefully.

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