Page 63 of Shatter

I don’t know, but at this moment, I feel more sure than I ever have before.

And that’s got to mean something, right?

* * *

As the hot days of July slip by, Tyler and I spend all our free time together.

He asked me to be his girl, and without hesitation, I said yes.

We go out on dates and spend days on the beach together.

Tyler lets his boss know his plans to move, and while Don is sad, he understands. Especially because he keeps telling Tyler, I told you so. His matchmaking skills won again.

The only things left for him to do is pack, get both of our cars ready for a long road trip, and most importantly—tell his dad.

We haven’t told Drew or Levi anything yet. I’m not sure how Drew will react to our relationship. Tyler says he doesn’t care what Levi thinks, but deep down, I know he cares, even if only a little.

I avoid going home as much as I can, spending my time at either work or with Tyler. Most of the time, I crash at his house.

My mom doesn’t ask questions. I wonder if she even notices my absence. She’s too busy running around after her slimy boyfriend. He’s the main reason I stay away. He gives me the creeps, and the one time I tried to warn my mom, she yelled at me, calling me a jealous bitch.

When I tell Cat my news, she’s happy for me. She said she knew it would happen. She’s busy jumping Colby’s bones nearly every chance she gets.

Since my plans are to rent an apartment with Madison, Tyler decides to get his own place and starts looking online.

One night after dinner, Tyler and I are hanging in his room, and I decide to call Mads to tell her the good news.

“Ahhh! Lo!! I’ve missed you! Talking once a week is not enough,” she gushes into the camera.

“Soon, you’ll be sick of me.” I grin.

“I could never get sick of you!” She laughs, and then suddenly, she gasps. “Is that Tyler behind you?!” she shrieks.

Oh, how I’ve missed her loud craziness.

“Yep, the one and only.” I toss him a quick grin over my shoulder.

“Hey, Madison. How’s your summer going?”

“Obviously, the tea is piping hot. And this girl ain’t got none!”

She’s too much. I can’t help but dissolve into giggles.

“I’ll let you two ladies chat.” Tyler stands and then leans down for a kiss. Mads makes catcalls over the phone, which only eggs Tyler on. He slips his tongue in and grasps the back of my neck.Fucking hot.

But when he pulls away and Mads cheers, my cheeks flame red. I can’t believe he just did all that in front of her.

Well, okay, maybe I can, but damn.

“I’ll be back. Don’t miss me too much,” he says, and then he’s out the door, closing it behind him.

“Um, what the actual fuck, Lo?! That was like the hottest fucking kiss I’ve ever seen!” She fans herself, and I cover my face with my hands as my cheeks burn even hotter. “So are you two back together or what? Spill it!”

“Yes. We are.” I fill her in with all the juicy details but save the best for last. “And the best part? He’s moving to California.”

“What?!” Mads shouts, and then she’s clapping and cheering. “Aw, I’m so happy for you, Lo. I mean, this is a good thing, right?”

I laugh. “Yes, yes, it is. We all know I’ve been hopelessly in love with him. Why deny it any longer?”

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