Page 37 of Run to Me

“What?”

“Peyton. What did Peyton say?”

Jensen sighs. “I’ll tell you if you open the door and let me see you.”

“No.” There’s not a chance in the world I can face him as he deals another blow to my self-esteem. It’s nearing extinction already.

Teenage boys, and most girls, are the worst. If they’re not whispering inappropriate comments about the size of my growing boobs, they’re using me to gain access to Logan. I had hoped to find a little freedom to explore my individuality in high school, a laughable notion now that I have a semester of ninth grade under my belt. Logan’s the most popular kid on campus, and I’m nothing more than his unremarkable sister.

A growl of displeasure comes from Jensen before he says, “Peyton had a bet going with his dickhead friends. They bet he couldn’t⁠—”

“Never mind. I don’t want to know,” I say, holding back the sob stuck in my chest.

He blows out a forceful breath, relieved he doesn’t have to repeat what he overheard. “You deserve respect, birdie. Never give assholes like Peyton a second thought. And never settle for less than a guy who’ll worship at your feet.”

A laugh punches through my quiet cries. “God, you’re so dramatic.”

He doesn’t laugh. In fact, he says nothing for a few seconds. “I mean every word.”

Silence hangs between us, littered with unasked questions and uncertain paths forward. He may have crossed a line, but neither of us will find out for sure.

“I have to get to the gym,” he mutters. With football season over, the players hang out in the weight room after school.

His shoes disappear, and the door swishes as it opens and closes. I count to three, then exit the stall and yank a paper towel from the holder to wipe the mascara smudged beneath my eyes. After taking a few deep breaths and telling my reflection in the mirror that I’m worthy of love, I leave the restroom, thankful the hallway is mostly empty as I aim for the parking lot. Because I missed the bus, I mentally prepare for the long walk home.

At the double doors leading to the gym, two police officers and the principal, Mr. Olson, are talking to Jensen. Sensing me, he turns his head, and every cell in my body goes on high alert. Shock and devastation mar his features, leaching all the color from his beautiful face. Swaying on his always-steady feet, he’s nanoseconds away from collapsing. I can feel the message he’s sending me with his tortured eyes. “Help me, birdie. I need you.”

I drop my backpack and run to him as fast as my legs will carry me, catching him as his knees hit the tile.

Battered and broken after what happened with Jake, Jensen lies in his dead parents’ bed. Because he hides his weaknesses from everyone, he’d be alone in his suffering if I hadn’t shown up tonight. Aside from his parents, I’m the only person to see him fully exposed that I know of, and I can’t deny him the peace of mind he seeks from me.

Relenting to his request for me to stay, I lock up the house and turn off most of the lights. After a quick trip to the restroom, where I decide against removing my makeup, I climb into bed and face him with my cheek on the soft satin pillow.

“Can I ask you something?” His words drag with exhaustion.

Despite the moonlight and the streetlamp outside casting a glow across his profile, I can’t tell if his good eye is open. I wonder if he’s staring at the ceiling while I stare at his swollen left eye.

When I hum my affirmative response, he asks, “Do you think about me?”

Every day for twenty-eight years.

“You were a big part of my childhood. I don’t have many memories that don’t include you. So yeah, when I think back on that time in my life, you come to mind.”

“I come to mind,” he murmurs. For a thoughtful minute, only the sound of his shallow breathing fills the room. Then he whispers, “Sweet dreams, birdie.”

I often dream of you, and those dreams are the sweetest.

“Good night, Jensen.”

13

JENSEN

Maisy left town. She left me. The morning after she spent the night, I woke up to a cold, abandoned space next to me in the bed. More than a week has gone by, and I haven’t seen or heard from her.

After her fallout with Vera, and with Tatum fleeing to California when everything went sideways with Jake, Maisy has no reason to be in Walford. I’m not reason enough. Nevertheless, I watch the dot on my phone. She’s in Austin now, but she might as well be a million miles away.

I wish I could count the situation with her as my only source of stress, but that’s far from the truth. My brother hates me. Javi’s frustrated with my increasing forgetfulness. My fellow business owners won’t stop hounding me about running in the damn mayoral election. Plus, I’m making mistakes and shirking my responsibilities left and right. Worst of all, I’m letting people down, me included.