Page 15 of Top Shelf

I feel him following behind me, letting me have a little bit of space. When I’ve calmed down enough and walked far enough from the bar that I know Hayden won’t spot me if he walks out, I turn back to Tyson.

“I am so…” I start to say, but I lose the words. I don’t even know what I am trying to say. With Tyson, I just feel…everything. “Thank you. So much. I just…I don’t even know what to say. Just…thank you, Ty. You didn’t have to do that. And I really hope that didn’t just fuck up whatever that was with Levi. I’m just… I’m so sorry.”

I reach up for my necklace and twirl the charm around between my fingers. His eyes find it, then lift back up to mine. He takes a few more steps toward me and takes my hand off my necklace, lacing his fingers through mine as he stares down at them for a moment. For a second, it’s like he’s frozen. He stares down at our hands interlocked, his eyes tracing our fingers, his eyebrows knitting together. Then, finally, something clicks, and he’s back here with me. He gently releases my hand and moves his to his pocket. Then his eyes meet mine.

“Don’t mention it,” he says with that devastatingly boyish smile he’s had for as long as I’ve known him.

I nod slowly, then tuck my hands in my own coat pockets. I take a step around him in the direction of my car, then smile.

“Well, thank you again, Ty. It was so,sogood to see you.”

I start to walk by him when I feel his hand wrap around my arm.

“There’s no way in hell you’re going anywhere without an explanation, Blackwell,” he says, that smile on his lips again. “Or should I sayCowl?”

CHAPTEREIGHT

tyson

Without much more talking,I’m getting into my truck with Sadie Blackwell.

She’s buckling up in the passenger seat, and suddenly, I have butterflies.

Imagine that. A grown fucking man. Getting butterflies.

But those eyes, those lips, the smell of her hair…

No.

Stop.

She left you, dude. And she took your fucking soul with her.

“Where are we going?” she asks after a moment as I pull out of the parking lot and onto the road. I smile.

“Let me worry about that,” I tell her.

After two minutes or so, she figures out where we’re going, and she flicks her head to me, her eyes wide.

I don’t look at her, but I smile as I drive.

Finally, I pull into the dark parking lot of the park and turn my car off. We get out and walk over to the swings and sit down, and the look on her face is serious, almost pained.

And I know why.

I know exactly why.

It’s the same reason I haven’t been able to come back to this damn park in eight years.

But there’s something about being in this spot with her again that makes it feel a little less heavy.

“Alright, ma’am,” I say, holding my hands out. “The floor is yours.”

She cracks a smile for a second, pulling her coat tighter around her body. The wind blows, and I can see the goosebumps pop up on her legs. I slip my jacket off and wrap it around her shoulders, then sit back down. She looks up at me, surprised.

And I hate that.

I hate that my former best friend is surprised that I’m giving her my coat when she’s cold.

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