I agreed. “Look. I know him. He needs…help. Or I don’t know what. He needs you.”
Whitmore nodded. “I need him too. Just as much.”
“Show him.”
“How? He won’t talk to me. He won’t answer my calls, and my mom is sick. I can’t be camping out on Holden’s goddamn porch for hours.” He cursed with frustration. “I want to do whatever he needs but…fuck. My life’s about to have a bomb dropped on it.”
I knew how he felt. Losing a motherwaslike a bomb dropping, blasting the life you knew to little pieces.
“There’s a parking lot near the cliffs,” I said. “Not much to it. A utility shed at the west end. Go there today. Four o’clock. And keep out of sight.”
“Dude, I don’t have time for some cloak-and-dagger bullshit—”
“Do you want to see him or not?” I snapped. “Be there. I’ll handle the rest.”
***
After school that day, I walked with Shiloh to the student parking lot. I’d squeaked out a C-minus in history, though I suspected Baskin hadn’t wanted to give me that much.
“He’s an ass,” Shiloh said, fingers twined in mine. “Your last paper on the Cold War was brilliant.”
“Don’t know about that.”
She kissed my chin. “I typed it, so I do.” We arrived at her Buick, and she ran her hands up my chest. “I have a free afternoon, if you catch my drift. Want a ride to your place?”
“Can’t. Tonight?”
“A man of few words. Tonight will have to do.” She kissed me softly. “Love you.”
“Love you,” I said and watched her go, still trying to believe that girl was mine.
I started for home while typing a text.
Meet me at the shack. 4 o’clock.
I waited and walked, praying Holden would answer. Relief gusted out of me when he did.
Why?
I hesitated over a response. It had to be good. Holden was too fucking smart; he’d see through bullshit immediately.
I have something 4 u.
Sounds romantic.
I rolled my eyes. It’s important. And if you don’t take it, I’ll never speak to you again.
Too late, I realized that might be exactly what Holden wanted.
I see what you did there, he replied.I don’t need new boots.
Just come. Please.
Please? Is this still Ronan Wentz, or did someone steal his phone?
I bit out a curse and was typing something a lot worse thanpleasewhen another text came.
I’ll be there.