Page 34 of All Your Tomorrows

“Oh my God,” I said, as visions of him naked in front of everyone flashed in my mind.

Kyler’s cheeks were flushed but he was laughing.

“It was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen,” Bono said.

“What happened?” I asked.

“He said, ‘fuck it’ and ran out there anyway. Everyone thought it was awesome.”

I looked to Kyler with raised brows.

“The girls loved it,” he assured me.

“He had this way of turning bad situations good,” Bono added. “You know what I mean?”

I nodded, knowing Kyler did have a way of lighting up a room. “If you could say one more thing to him,” I said to Bono, “what would you say?”

Bono pondered the thought for a minute. “I’d tell him I love him. And miss him. Things just aren’t the same without him.”

I glanced to Kyler whose eyes had blurred with tears.

“I’m sure he feels the same way,” I assured Bono.

He ticked his head toward the shop. “I should probably head back inside.”

I nodded. “Thanks for talking to me. I know you were a great friend to him.”

Bono shot me a sad smile before hopping off the picnic table and taking off toward the shop.

I turned to Kyler, but he’d already taken off for the car. I was left sitting alone on a dirty taco shop picnic table feeling exhausted by all that Bono—and Kyler—had revealed.

I gave him the time he clearly needed, then headed back to my car and slipped into the driver’s seat.

“Thanks,” Kyler said without looking at me.

“You don’t have to thank me, streaker.”

He chuckled. “You liked that, didn’t you?”

“Loved it,” I assured him before starting the engine and pulling out onto the road.

Darkness had fallen and an uncomfortable silence descended upon the car. I could tell Kyler was mulling over everything that Bono had said and he’d remembered. I couldn’t blame him. It had been a lot for one day. I just wished I knew what he needed from me in that moment. Maybe he wanted my silence. Unfortunately, for him, I hated awkward silences.

“So, you remember Melanie now?” I finally said.

“Yeah.”

“How’s that make you feel?”

He shrugged.

“Did it help you remember anything about the accident?”

He shook his head. “No, and it’s driving me crazy.”

“I seem to remember a wise person once telling me not to beat myself up over stuff I can’t control.”

I’d hoped that would make him smile, but it didn’t.

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