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“Love you too, Hails. I’ll see you soon.”

Unfortunately, he wouldn’t. The accident happened twelve days later, and then he was gone. I turn back to the headstone and laugh. Through my tears, I actually laugh.

“Really, Em? Is that one of your crazy signs?” There are little things throughout the years that have happened that I have convinced myself are a sign from Emmett from wherever he is.

“I hear you loud and clear, big bro. It’s me and her against the world. I promised you I would keep an eye on her for you. I guess I haven’t been doing the best job, but hey, that’s not my fault.” I look down at my phone and see eight texts from Zach.

Zach: Hey, just checking in on you.

Zach: Are you okay?

Zach: I’m heading to my parents’. Please let me know you’re fine.

Zach: Baby, I’m so sorry. I’m just all messed up that she called. I didn’t mean how it came out.

Zach: I love you so much.

Zach: Please be careful. I hate that you left so upset…that I am the reason you’re upset.

Zach: I just got to my parents’. I need to see you.

Zach: I was stupid. I should’ve told her right away. I wasn’t thinking. We will tell her when she gets here.

“It’s funny; you’d never believe this Zach was the same guy we grew up with. He makes me happy, you know.”

I picture my brother having a smart-ass retort to that, but of course, it doesn’t come.

“I am happy for him—I truly am. I just need to figure this all out. I in no way want to hide us, but I worry that if she comes back and we throw this all at her, she may be overwhelmed and just up and leave again. We need to be smart about this.” I shift in the grass where I’m sitting. “If you have any ideas, now would be the time for you to start sending those signs.”

Buzz. Buzz.

I look down expecting to see Zach’s name, but instead, I see Cami. She is supposed to be preparing to head out of the country. Why on earth is she texting me?

Cami: Hey, wankpuffin! Any chance you can keep an eye on things at my apartment while I’m gone? I was supposed to have a friend of Ryan’s stay there, but they bailed last minute.

Me: Not a problem! Hey, would it be cool if instead of just checking on things, I just stayed there for a little while?

Cami: What’s going on? Trouble in paradise for you and Hottie McHotterson?

Ugh. I wish she would stop calling him that. All these years later, I had hoped that she would start calling him Zach, but nope!

Me: No, things are great. I’ll explain it all later. You’re the best.

Cami: Let’s meet up before we leave, and I’ll give you the key.

Me: Sounds great.

Cami: Kisses! Talk to you soon. Xo

“Well, looks like you came through again, big bro. I have to go and tell Zach about my plan. I promise to look after her.” I push off the ground and stand, brushing off the grass that stuck to me. I lean down and kiss the headstone. “Love you, big bro. I’ll see you soon.”

The drive from Philly to Annapolis was not a pleasant one. It was spent in silence as I relived the last twelve hours over and over in my head. My mind has been a mess ever since Dani called last night. Add the little sleep and my fight with Haylee, and I’d say I’m a recipe for disaster today. I hate seeing Haylee upset; it kills me inside. Especially to know I am the reason behind it. She asked for space, and I knew I had to give it to her, no matter how much it killed me. I did this, so I needed to give her what she wanted.

I should have never said what I said; I didn’t mean it. My head was reeling from the newfound information that my sister wanted to come home. I mean, of course, I have spent the last few years begging to hear my sister’s voice, but I didn’t mean for it to come out the way it did. I know Haylee has been asking for the same thing. I could never forget our situations.

As I park in the driveway of my childhood home, I contemplate waiting here in the Jeep for Haylee to arrive so we can walk in together, but what if she doesn’t show up? She said she would be here, but I don’t even know where she’s gone. I put on my best brave face as I approach the front steps, wishing and praying that the expression on my face won’t give everything away.

I enter the colonial-style home and am greeted by my mother coming down the stairs.