Page 177 of Keeping 13

“Lizzie?” My brows shot up in surprise when I spotted her slumped in the chair. Abandoning the kettle, I made a beeline for her. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she whispered, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand.

She clearly wasn’t.

Sinking into the chair opposite her, I rested my elbows on my knees and offered her a small smile. “Do you want to talk?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“I…” Hesitating, I reached over and took her hand in mine. “Are you sure?”

“I’ll be okay, Shan,” she choked out, dropping her head so I couldn’t see her cry. “Honestly, I’ll be fine.”

“I know,” I agreed, giving her hand a small squeeze. “But it’s okay if you’re not fine right now.”

“I’m just so angry all the time,” she confessed, keeping her head down. “It won’t stop.”

Careful not to push her for more than she was willing to give, I remained silent and continued to hold her hand. I knew why she was angry with the world and I didn’t blame her. “It’s coming up soon, right?” I finally found the courage to ask. “Your sister’s anniversary?”

Snatching her hand away, she slumped in her chair and nodded stiffly. “The end of the month.”

I blew out a shaky breath. “It’s hard.”

“There’s no justice in the world,” she bit out.

“No,” I agreed sadly. “There isn’t.”

“I fucking hate this school, Shannon,” she hissed. “I hate that team and everything they represent.”

My heart sank. “Gibsie reminds you of him?”

Lizzie flinched. “I can’t help it. Every time I look at him, I seehim.”

“They’re not the same person, Liz,” I offered quietly. “Gibsie isn’t Mark.”

“Whatever, Shan,” she said wearily. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Okay.” Clasping my hands together, I studied her closed-off expression. “Are you and Pierce at least okay?”

“No,” she choked out, as her eyes filled with tears once again. “It’s all a mess.”

“Why?”

“Because I can’t getpastit,” she sniffled. “I can’t see beyond it, and I can’t get over it. I’m stuck and I keep driving himaway.” Releasing a furious growl, she wiped her eyes and jerked to her feet. “It doesn’t even matter. He can fuck off if he wants to. I’m not holding him down and making him stay. If he wants to be done, then we’re done.”

“Lizzie—”

“I don’t want to talk anymore,” she cut me off by saying. “Ican’t.”

“Okay.” Rising to my feet, I slapped on a bright smile. “We won’t talk.”

She sagged in relief. “Thank you.”

* * *

“What time are your parents going to be home?” I asked breathlessly.

“Not until later tonight,” Johnny grunted and I watched as a bead of sweat trickled down his brow. “Will we go again?”

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