ws, and how Austin came to see me Wednesday at the shop. I feel like I shouldn't be here. I may be better off back at home-just letting everyone know

at I just need a shower, but after I dry off I'm looking through my suitcase which is still unpacked. I grab a pair of pajamas but lift up my last pair of clean jeans. Shaking my head, I drop them and the towel, slipping on und

ill cares about me in his weird way that makes me question the meaning of caring. If he's grown out his hair like he wanted

t help

and slip on my shoes and leave at eight-thirty. My Aunt watches me walk out the door, but she doesn'

s, I am curious about him and how he's been, but I have to set boundaries. Kaden and I are done. We are not together and we are not friends. And I'm going to tell him that, I'm

ially early, this is when we used to come last year. It must be

ill dead so no one was warned about my appearance, but I've never been good at warning people anyway. Footsteps near, my heart races, the door opens, Lauren smiles and pulls me in. "

ne can see us through the back

just waiting to see if you show up. Oh, he's going

's h

ndon your coworker is here and so is his friend-I think

. "I thought th

-only party. Really, i

is Brand

him, plus he's a total hot

wards the door. "I don't know abou

othe me. "Everyone is waiting for you. Kaden has

of place. I let Lauren walk me all of the way, and when the back do

around the fire very quickly and gazes at me. He looks the same, but older, possibly more handsome. The sight of him makes my heart ache an

ess. His voice, it makes the a

n w

, knowing that he's following me. Knowing he's so close causes my mind to scatter. I don't know what to say or do, but I'm scared

that's all it takes. His eyes glaze over me, taking me in as I do to

y tongue. "I know it's been a long time, and I know we haven't-talked about what happened between us, and I'm glad to see you,

the wall, likely knowing of the unbearable memories floating in my

"Oh, uh, yeah, she did. I'm really sorry, Kaden. I can't imagine how it mus

had a real connection. I loved you. Wh

, not falling into hi

doesn't mean that I never loved you, that my feelings weren't real.

feel, truly regretting this conver

hinking about the 'what if's.' All I wan

I say bluntly. "Austin shouldn't have come to the shop,

d into my bed. "You're just going to shut me out? Pretend like I'm not here? Like nothing last year ever happened? Emma," he

't even know why I come back here every year because everyone in this town just picks away at me. Everyone here is toxic."

at you're here. It's too soon to talk about these things, let's just pretend t

ll probably regret this too, talking will be like ripping out fingernails, but I walk with him back outside because I don't want to be myself at the moment. I

eside this so-called Jess who I recognize immediately. It's the redhead that visits him in the shop-who is not to be confused with the drunk beach-girl who whined for his attention at the bonfire. I'm remembering

d how they could. Sure, he's attractive and active and cha

ll. When I look up across the fire, I find Kaden's eyes

ged a lot, haven't you? I remember when you were all bubbly and exc

runk," I say blun

ot out of that. We're al

des, we don't need that garbage to have a good time." She's talking about the drugs only, not alcohol. We're teenag

r phone. Kaden continuously eyes me so I get up and mumble that I'm going to the bathroom to whoever can hear. When I walk down the hall, two people come through the front door that look somewhat familiar bu

t myself tipping backward. But, in here, alone, I steady myself and let my mind settle. I should be in bed not avoiding eye contact with Kaden Lane. If I told my past self that th

y before I reach the end, but Brandon appears out of nowhere and blocks my path. "At the shop you seemed

care? You're b

he steps in my way with an amuse

I am. Seeing Brandon flirt with other girls confuses me. He told me those things that night

g if I could leave without anyone noticing now, well,

er going to

aren't even friends. All you do is bask in everyone's love a

little d

ke this? Why are you trying s

n me. He's trying to get through, but I'm standin

get me to be your friend, the

don't want you t

every girl in sight is definitely going to do that for you. You

mething I don't know of. An escape? More of his touch? Less of it? All of it? I don't want to look at him, so I fall against the wall, my back hit

ng to Jess hurt you. I

? Why do

ink you cared. I wasn't sure i

ay now. "

creates something of his own that makes my che

face. "I'm

u," he says mo

me more than I do." I head to the door and