"My mom ODed."
"Is s
he—"
"She's okay. In the hospital but okay." He presses his palms into his quads. "That's all he said."
"Is your dad there?"
He nods.
"Are you—"
"Yeah." He looks at me funny. "I should go."
"Yeah."
He leans in to kiss me, but that's hollow too. I run my fingers through his hair. I slide my tongue into his mouth.
He pulls back. His eyes find mine. "I'll call you when I get in."
"Yeah." My heart breaks for him. But there's something else too. Some part of him is missing. Some part that used to be mine. I need it back. I don't think. I jump to my feet and wrap my hands around his wrist. "Can I come?"
He looks at me funny.
"You should have someone there. To hold your hand. I have work tomorrow but I can get someone to fill in."
"Yeah." He nods. "But I'm leaving now."
"How?"
"I'll buy a ticket on my phone. The soonest one available."
"We can take my car. If that would be easier."
He nods, his eyes still hollow. "Let's get your stuff at your place."
"Yeah."
I follow him out the door, no longer concerned about someone seeing us.
No one does, but that doesn't make me feel any better.
I tell myself it's shock, that he'll be mine again soon.
But I don't believe it for a second.
Chapter 31
Piper
I finally get to ride on Kit's bike—I came to the party with Mal. It should be thrilling. My thighs are wrapped around the seat, my arms are wrapped around Kit, my skin is buzzing from the mix of the breeze and the motor.
But I'm stuck on that look in Kit's eyes.
On this awful feeling that everything is wrong.
He parks in the driveway, next to my car, and slides off the bike. He presses his palm against my back to lead me to the door.