Page 124 of Before We Break

I glance around as if there might be someone else named Noah standing here, but I’m alone. It feels like someone’s driven their fist through my chest and wrapped it around my heart. “Me?”

Lexi nods. “It’ll be quick.”

I stuff my phone into my back pocket along with Clio’s tissue. “Alright, kid. Where do you want me?”

She holds out her arm, gesturing for me to take the right side, putting her in the middle between Clio and me. I take my place, resting my hand on top of Clio’s on Lexi’s back, hoping her touch might ground me.

“My god, Noah,” Emma grumbles. “You could at least try to smile.”

Lexi elbows me in the gut. I laugh, and Emma snaps a photo of the moment.

“Perfect. Auggie? You’re in.”

Auggie rushes up the steps and holds his arms up. Clio places him on her hip between her and Lexi for one more photo.

The limo driver drapes himself halfway out the window and honks loudly. “Let’s go!” he bellows.

I’m tempted to charge over there and give him a piece of my mind, but I don’t want to embarrass Lexi and ruin her night, so I rein in my temper for her sake.

“You better go,” Clio says, setting Auggie on his feet so she can pull Lexi in for a hug. “I’ll be at the ranch with Kiki, so call Noah if you need anything.”

“Ok. I will. Thanks, Mom. Bye, Noah. Bye, Auggie.”

Noah nods. “See ya, kid.”

Auggie waves as Lexi darts off in a blur of purple fabric.

Emma asked if she could take Auggie for the weekend before she jets off to photograph a fancy destination wedding next week, so we say a quick goodbye to both of them, and then it’s just me and Clio standing in the middle of the town square.

She lets out a ragged sigh and slumps against me, resting her head against my shoulder. “Tell me it’s all going to be ok.”

“It’s all going to be ok.” I pull my phone out of my pocket and open the music app. “Do you remember the last time we were here?”

“‘Wonderwall,’” she whispers, looking up at me through thick lashes.

“Mhm.” The song starts to play, and I set my phone down on the steps, then I wrap my arms around her and sway us back and forth in a slow circle.

I’ve never been much of a romantic, but you wouldn’t know it based on the way the last six months have gone. Caring about someone’s knitting projects and whether they’ve taken their meds was never my style. Whenever we’re apart, I have to resist the urge to check in and ask how her day is going. There’s something about Clio that makes me want to try, if only to see that smile on her face and the twinkle in her eyes.

I’ve dropped countless pennies all over town just to watch her pick them back up again. If it wasn’t obvious then, it is now. Or maybe I just didn’t recognize the feeling because I’ve never been in love before. Whatever this feeling is, love or something like it, I’m completely gone for her.

THIRTY-FIVE

DROWNING ON DRY LAND

♫ All This And Heaven Too - Florence + The Machine

NOAH

“Noah?” Lexi’s strangled voice comes across the line, and I bolt upright.

“Lex? What’s wrong?”

“Can you come get me?” Each word is punctuated by a sob. I can almost feel her frantic energy through the phone.

“Where are you?”

“S-school. Please hurry.”