Page 92 of Over the Edge

Fine. Only because Oliver is one minute away from getting me in the dress that matches his suit.

Evelyn

There’s nothing stopping you from trying it on

If you find her - text me and I’ll let you know when we’re ready to leave

“We can stay here as long as you need,” I say. I want to take care of him but I’m lost on how to. So much of what I do is centered around avoiding moments like this. My whole brand is keeping it all together so other people can stay happy. Still, I know moments like this, the ones where the emotions hit you squarely in the chest and refuse to be ignored, are unavoidable.

He crumbles into me and I pull him close before he can back away and block me out.

“It’s so fucking embarrassing. I feel like I’m ten when my teacher had to come out and she asked if someone was coming to get me and I didn’t know how to answer. I don’t know how to react.” He buries his face in the crook of my neck and I squeeze him to me. “I used to be so jealous of you and Drew. At first I hated going to practice in your family’s garage. I knew at the end of the day you had somewhere you belonged, all I had was a dorm at school and a guest room. It was probably a year before I stopped feeling that way. Your garage, the band, that was the first place I ever felt like I belonged. Like I truly was wanted there. It wasn’t given to me out of pity, or charity. I earned it. I haven’t seen her for years. She doesn’t know me and it just reminds me how little there is to care about.”

“Garrett. It’sherfault she doesn’t know you. None of us think it’s your fault. It doesn’t make you look bad—it makes her look bad. It’s her loss for missing out,” I say, though the words aren’t enough. I want to pull him into me, let him hide if he needs to. I want to take it away.

“If you say so,” he dismisses.

“After the last few weeks and then nineteen years before, I think I have enough experience to say that you are worth knowing,” I say. “Also, there’s the fact that if I give Quinn the option she will leave Lana here.”

“She’d hitchhike back and somehow manage to beat us to Hartsfall.”

“Probably. Do you want me to get the others? We can leave whenever you want,” I offer.

“Let’s stay here. Just for another minute.”

“You can have as many of my minutes as you need.”

33

Garrett

It's a bit past four when we pull up the driveway to Evelyn’s place. Quinn turns off the engine then exits the car so fast she might set a new world record. Everyone is notably more on edge than when we left this morning.

“Lana and I are going to head to town,” I say before she can weasel into making more plans. “Are you guys going to be okay with bringing the wine to the festival practice tomorrow? It’s at the high school. I can send directions.”

“Yeah, that shouldn’t be a problem,” Oliver says.

“All right.” I turn to Lana. “My truck is parked at Alina’s. We’re getting coffee.”

Lana starts walking down the drive and toward Alina’s. I’m about to join her when a hand lands on my arm. I look over to find Evelyn.

“Come back after you’re done. I’ll cook dinner.” It’s not a question but from how she stiffens I know she’s braced for an answer.

“Based on the last meal you ‘cooked’, how can I say no?” I ask.

“Then don’t say no.” Something like fear glistens in her eyes and it slams into me.

I don’t want to slip away from her. I don’t want to shut her out. But I can’t promise I’ll be pleasant to be around after my talk with Lana. “Come back to me.” Her voice softens and just like that, the raging sea in my head calms.

“Okay.”

By the time I make it across the street Lana is already leaning against my truck. She’s impatiently picking at her nails like she’s been waiting for me longer than a handful of minutes.

“You got this from Doug Fletcher, right?” she asks, patting the side of the truck bed.

“Yeah,” I say as I mechanically unlock the door.

“God. I have so many memories in that truck bed. Not with Doug, he was already with Kirstie then, but his friend Marty. Let’s just say we did our best to be discreet.”

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