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Or was it because I was too scared to face what I’d done?
Hell, I’d faced Trevor.Finally.And I’d gotten my parents to believe me. Couldn’t I also do the same back home?
“I-I can’t stay.”
“What?” Mom asked. “But you’re supposed to move back.”
“No, I can’t. I have unfinished business at home.”
“Home?” she scoffed. “But this is your home.”
The anger was back. “Mom, I’m not gonna run anymore. I’m fixing what I broke in Strawberry Springs.”
“It’s not your fault, it’s theirs!”
“I had a part in it. I hurt people I care about.”
“But I don’tunderstand.Why do you care so much about that place?”
“Because even when people aren’t perfect, they’re stillpeople.I might not like what they did, but I have to give them a chance to do better.”
“They’re not worth that.”
“I think they are.”
Her face turned red and she shook her head. “No.No.I won’t let you.”
“Mom, I’m not asking for permission. I get now that you don’t understand why I like the town. That’s fair, after what you went through. But my experience isn’t yours.”
“But—”
“You don’t have to understand my choices. All I need is for you torespectthem.”
Her jaw dropped, and she shook her head, ready to argue more.
“I love you, and I’ll call you later. But I have to fix this.” I gave her a kiss on the cheek and ran off.
“So, you’re gonna run again?”
“I’m not running from you. Nor am I running from my problems. I’ll always be a runner, Mom. But it’s time I rantothem.”
Tammy didn’t even smile when I walked into Center Point Diner.
“Here to wallow?” she asked.
“No, I’m here to talk to you. You know this town better than anyone.”
“Debatable.”
“And you were on Cain’s side. I need to know how to fix this.”
Tammy’s lips thinned. “And why should I help you? You’re the one who blabbed to Kerry and set all of this off.”
“I was drunk and stupid. And wrong. But I need to do something. Even if it means facing who I hurt.”
“It wasn’t me that you hurt. Haven’t you talked to Cain?”
“He needs a break from me.”