Her inhale is sharp. “What? Why?”
“He won’t take the first step. Frost’s too caught up in thinking he’s poison. Someone needs to shove him in the right direction, and I vote you.”
“I… Paige, I can’t just?—”
“Please,” I interrupt. “Please, he’s my brother. I’ve never seen him like this, ever. He needs you, and judging by your reaction, I think that maybe you need him, too.”
I canhearher wrestling with the fear, hurt, but most importantly, love.
“Okay,” Hope finally relents.
I shoot upright, fist-pumping like a maniac. “YES! I… uh… I mean, great, wonderful. Good choice. You will not regret this. Well, you might, my brother’s dramatic, but he’s worth it.”
She gives a small, broken laugh. “I’ll start packing.”
“I’ll text you the address,” I promise. “And Hope?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you. For not giving up on him.”
The line goes quiet for a second. Then her voice comes out determined but shaky. “I thought I could let him go, but deep down, I’m not ready to give up.”
“I’ll see you soon.” I hang up, fall back on my bed, and grin.
“Alright, Frost,” I mutter to the ceiling. “You might actually get your shit together now.”
CHAPTER 16
HOPE
“What am I doing?” I mumble under my breath as the miles tick away on the odometer.
My stomach has been in knots since Frost’s sister, Paige, called. A sister who apparently cares enough about her brother to call a complete stranger and beg them to help put her brother’s heart back together. That alone was enough to make me cry for the rest of the night while I thought about the promise I made, not only to her but to Frost, to be his, forever.
He left without a word. You don’t owe him a damn thing.
My brain and heart are still battling as we pass a sign that saysTruth and Consequences, Next Right, and my pulse kicks into high gear.
“This is a mistake,” I whisper as I take the exit.
“No, it’s not,” Amy says from the passenger seat, polishing the handle of her baseball bat like she’s preparing for battle. “This is destiny.”
I shoot her a look. “You’re not bringing that inside.”
“I absolutely am,” she says, sliding it onto her lap. “If he hurts you again, I’m cracking at least one of his kneecaps. Maybe two if he gives me attitude.”
“Amy,” I groan.
“Hope.” She imitates my tone perfectly. “You’re driving to another state to confront a man who abandoned you without a word. I’m not letting you walk into the lion’s den without backup.”
I press my lips together. “Please don’t threaten his knees.”
“I make no promises.”
“Oh my God.”
She pats my shoulder. “Sweetie, I’m not here to commit violence unless it’s absolutely necessary. I’ll let you talk, and I’ll be quiet, promise.”
