Page 39 of Room to Breathe

“Do you like these books, Indy?” Harper asked.

I turned from where I’d gone back to writing. “I haven’t read those ones, but I like most books,” I said. “I don’t really have a favorite genre.”

“What do you like better?” she asked. “Reading or watching movies?”

I was writing again and I stopped with her question. “Me?”

“Yes,” she said. “Ilovemovies.”

“I don’t know,” I said. “I like them both.” I scratched at my cheek and looked at the open page in front of me. All the letters were blurring together. I blinked. They were still blurry.

I slammed the book shut and stood. “I should probably go.”

“Why?” Beau asked.

My parents had already left about an hour ago. My plan was just to walk home. We were neighbors after all.

“I don’t know,” I said. “Because I need to go.”

“Okay. We’ll see you Saturday?” Harper asked. “At the bonfire?”

“Saturday,” I said.

“We’ll give you a ride,” Beau said, standing.

“No, I want to walk. I need to walk.”

Beau just stared at me, trying to read my thoughts. He couldn’t this time.

Chapter 17

Now

The book fell, smacking mein the face. “Ouch.” I lifted it off of me and set it aside.

“Did you fall asleep?” Beau asked from his spot on the counter. I wondered if his butt was numb from sitting up there for so long.

“I’m tired,” I said. “What time do you think it is?”

“I don’t know. Nine-ish? Ten-ish?”

I sat up and rubbed my hands up and down my face. Then I took out the earbud and walked it over to him. He took his out as well and stuck them both in his pocket.

“You can listen,” I said.

“I’m guessing their battery is almost dead. I haven’t charged them since yesterday.”

I paced the bathroom, doing high-knee walks, trying to wake myself up. “You can read the book if you want.”

He nodded but just stared at it lying there on the floor.

“Did you ever read that mystery series Harper gave you?” I asked.

“I did. It was bad.” He was silent for a minute. “She never read the series I gave her. She still has them.”

“She never gave them back? Not even after…”you broke up. I couldn’t say those words. I’d already said them once in this bathroom. We already both knew who was to blame.

“Nope,” he said.