Page 109 of Broken Strings

Dad sees my face fall and moves to slide the phone from its place on the bench between us, but I get there first.

There are several messages, all from different people. There’s one from Noah, several in my group chat with the boys, and a handful of emails. I swipe them all to one side, intent on the final one.

I don’t recognise the number, so I almost delete it, but something makes me click into it and onto the shared link inside without thinking.

It’s a link to a website calledHawt Goss, something I’ve never heard of before, but it appears to be based in the States. There’s a headline that, at first, makes no sense, but upon reading it several times, my stomach roils.

Spots blur my vision, and my hands begin to shake as I slowly scroll through the article that’s interspersed with pictures ofmySummer. With a tall, dark-haired prick.

He has hishandson her. On the body that is supposed to bemine.

His eyes are fixed on her, and she’s laughing at something he’s said as though she doesn’t have a care in the world.

She meant for me to move on. Her letter damn well said to.

And clearly, that’s what she’s doing here. The thought that we’re over leaves a sour taste in my fucking soul.

I’m not having this. We need to talk.

* * *

SUMMER

He’s his match.

Our son has a donor.

Oh. My. God!

I gasp as tears fill my eyes, dropping my phone when my hands tremble with a mixture of nervous excitement. Before I realise what’s happening, I’ve dissolved into floods of tears.

Tears of disbelief and shock.

Tears of happiness and wonder.

Tears of weariness and relief.

We have a match!

My sobs carry through the space as Vaughn rounds the desk, taking me into his arms. Alex leans forward, plucking my phone from the ground at my feet.

At any other time, his absolute disregard for privacy would make me laugh.

He reads the text aloud, and Vaughn palms my cheeks as his own eyes fill with tears of joy. “Oh, Summer.” His voice hitches. “I—I haven’t got the words, sweetheart.”

“He’s a match, Vaughn.” I choke the words out between gasps. “Iknewhe would be. Even if he hates me for all time, it’s worth it.He’sthematch!”

I distantly hear my cell chime again, but think nothing of it as I continue to allow all of my pent-up emotions out against my friend's broad chest.

“Umm…guys?”

Alex’s voice is hesitant behind me until he clears his throat and speaks more firmly.

“Summer? There’s another text here. It’s from someone called Anna.”

I disentangle myself from Vaughn and practically snatch my cell from Alex’s hands, pleasantries forgotten in my haste.

Anna

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