Page 66 of Puck Block

I nod, and a call comes over the speakers in my car. We both look to see Emory’s name flashing in green on the screen.

She opens the door, and before she can say anything, I put my hand up. “Relax. I won’t tell him.”

Relief smooths her creased forehead.

I can’t help but add, “I’ve been keeping quite a lot from him lately. You know…like how you came all over my–”

The door slams so hard the loose change in my cup holder rattles.

I zoom off in the direction of the gym, chuckling, but as soon as Taytum is out of sight, my smile falls, and reality sets in.

[ 29 ]

TAYTUM

I’ve cometo terms with the fact that I’ll always have diabetes.

That’s old news to me.

Yet, I still find myself trying to come up with a solution to fix a problem that can’t really be fixed.

Ford is certain that, together, he and I can figure everything out, but even he can’t cure me from a lifelong disease, not to mention, we really shouldn't be left alone anymore.

I turn at the sound from behind and see a long leg climbing out of my bedroom window and onto the roof. A chill whips around me when Ford slinks down, and it takes no longer than a few seconds for him to pull off his thick sweatshirt and hand it over without saying a word.

After his warmth settles over me, I slowly lie back down and stare up at the sky.

“I hate when you come out here.”

I smile to myself. He says the same thing every single time.

“That’s why I do it.” That’s not true, but it is an added bonus.

Ford leans back and lies beside me. We’re not touching, but I can feel his body heat pulsing next to me, even through the sweatshirt.

We haven’t been alone together since the other day in his car, and the way my body relaxes with him near tells me that I need him more than I’d like to admit.

“Here.” A brown paper bag falls to my stomach, and I huff out a breath. It crinkles when I grab onto it, and I immediately know what it is.

I pop to my elbows. “How did you–?”

Ford turns to me, and our eyes catch. His easy-going smile drives me insane. “Taytum, I can talk God out of Heaven. You don’t think I can talk a female pharmacist into letting me pick up your medication for you?” His hand falls to his chest. “It hurts that you have such little faith in me.”

I don’t tell him that I haveallmy faith in him, because God knows his ego doesn’t need to grow any more. I turn away and push the bag off to the side. My arms fall back to my sides when I lie back down, and we’re almost touching. “Thank you.”

I know he’s looking at me, but I keep my gaze on the stars because I’m afraid he’ll read every thought in my head.

“Wow, no jab?AndI get a thank you?”

I try not to smile. “Give it time.”

He chuckles, and more silence passes between us. It’s a comfortable silence, though. The kind that you crave when you’re all alone in a crowded room with nothing but your thoughts, and then you look across the room and see the one person that makes you feel grounded.

Ford shifts beside me, and I think he’s getting up to leave, but instead, he sends my heart into a tailspin when his pinky finger hooks over mine. A subtle gasp rushes from my mouth and disappears into the cool air from the perplexity of what I feel from the briefest of touches. We’re connected by one tiny brushof our fingers, and yet, something I’ve never felt tumbles in and takes my breath away.

The feeling digs deep into my chest, and I’m terrified it’s never going to leave. I’m even more terrified that I’ll never feel this way with anyone other than him.

Out of pure panic, I blurt something that is wholly untrue and a complete and utter attempt at denial. “I have a date.”

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