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I’m still smiling like an idiot when he takes off down the road, probably heading to Dylan’s so he can drive him back home and help keep his alibi intact.

Now that I’m alone, I peel off last night’s clothes and take a quick shower. Dad will be home today, and one look at this place is going to come with a million questions I’m nowhere near prepared to answer. I’m still trying to decide how much of the truth I should tell him, when the doorbell rings.

Did he forget something?

I scan my room for anything Milo might have left behind, but there’s no trace of him anywhere. A strange sadness settles over me at the thought.

Last night, this room had been so full of him. His voice. His laughter. His warmth.

But now…

The doorbell rings again, snapping me out of my funk.

I barely have time to throw on a tank top and shorts, before I hurry downstairs. When the door opens, I fully expect to find Milo standing on the other side.

Instead, I find my English teacher.

“Mr. Collins?”

“Hi, Max. Sorry for coming by unannounced, but I didn’t think you’d want me to sit on this news until Monday.” He pulls a manila envelope from behind his back, a huge smile spreading across his face. “You won, Max. You won!”

“The contest? I won?”

I snatch the envelope from his hands and tear it open. Inside is a certificate with my name printed across it and a check for two thousand dollars.

For a second, all I can do is stare.

Then it hits me.

“Oh, my God! I won!”

I throw my arms around him before I can stop myself.

“I knew you could do it,” he says, hugging me back. “You deserve this, Max.”

He has no idea just how badly I needed this win.

Last night, I finally got to kiss the boy I’ve loved for as long as I can remember.

And today, I’m a published author.

Maybe the universe has finally decided to give me a break.

I can only hope it lasts.

Chapter 25

Thursday

My arms stretch out across the pillow, my smile a mile wide. But the moment I roll onto my side and find the other half of the bed empty, it slips right off my face.

Milo’s gone.

I didn’t expect that.

Then again, I’m not sure what I expected to wake up to this morning. I just know it wasn’t this.

No. Don’t do this to yourself. We had a wonderful night together. So what if he bailed before I woke up? He probably had other obligations he needed to attend to. Don’t take it so fucking personal, Max.