6
TEDDY
SPRING OF SENIOR YEAR
She’s sitting on the rock by the lake, scribbling something. Right where I expected to find her.
“Hey.”
Sutton startles at the sound of my voice, glancing around until she spots me emerging from the trees, heading toward her. “Hey,” she replies.
“I didn’t know you still came out here.”
“Ditto.”
For the first time since Grams died, I smile. Something about Sutton makes me forget I’m supposed to be sad or upset or disappointed whenever I feel that way.
“You okay?”
“Yeah.” I climb up onto the rock next to her, the way I’ve done many times before. “She lived a long life. Died peacefully in her sleep in the house that my grandfather built. That reminded her of the person she loved more than anything. What more can any of us ask for?”
Her reply is soft and sure. “Nothing.”
I settle and stretch out my long legs, leaning back on my palms and getting comfortable. Today was tough. Right now, I feel peaceful.
“Are you ever going to tell me what you write in there?” I gesture toward the notebook she carries around all the time. The yellow cover is ripped and faded.
My bare arm brushes hers as I point at it.
The touch isn’t deliberate.
The way I don’t immediately move away is.
“Probably not,” she answers.
I watch goose bumps rise on her skin before she shifts away, so we’re no longer touching.
A smile tugs at my mouth. “At least you’re honest.”
“Are you?” A dangerous question coming from her.
“About what?”
“Never mind.” She looks away.
I can feel the regret emanating from those two words. That’s the most she’ll give me—small slipups that suggest we’re something more than the nothing everyone thinks.
“I broke up with Ellie twenty minutes ago.”
I intended to ease into the admission. Blurting it out is not how I planned to tell her, but there it is. Hanging between us like a heavy cloud.
“Youdid?” Sutton looks shocked. Stunned. I can’t tell if it’s in a good way or a bad one.
I’m not sure if she knows either. With eight words, I’ve just permanently altered the dynamic of our relationship. While not naïve or optimistic enough to think it will changeeverything, I hope it will meansomething.
“Yep.”
“You guys dated foryears.”