"It is sudden," I agree. I glance up to find the nearest stairs. I want to get out of the wind now.
"But," she continues, "I'm glad that this happened. I think it's better we're honest now. And, you know, I appreciate you telling me the truth now, rather than pretending everything was normal. Because I don't know if I would have had the courage to say anything."
"You would have," I say. "You're so brave."
Kennedy tries to laugh. "Yes. Keep the flattery coming."
"I'm not joking," I say, and reach out to squeeze her hand. Kennedy never hid her opinion, whether it was through protesting at school or saying outright that she disagreed with others. She was always herself. Like Liam. I guess that's why I like them both.
Kennedy smiles, then looks down at our hands. Gently, she pulls it away. "We can't do this anymore."
"Right."
The sun disappears, making the sky darker.
"We should have some space," Kennedy says once we're back in the town streets. "Even if this was civil, it's still weird. We need time to adjust."
"Okay." Does that mean I'll be going back to Easton?
"Before, you know how Bonnie and Erin and I were talking? Well, Erin told us that our family — and by our family, I mean my grandparents and my parents and aunt and uncle who are too scared to argue with them — are insisting that the three of us go to visit her in Melbourne."
"The three of us?" I ask.
"Bonnie, Erin and me. Erin says we can't get out of it. I talked to my parents, and they said the same. Even though you and Liam are here. But I think it may be for the best. I need space, and I think you need it too."
"So would I be going home?"
"If you want," Kennedy says. "But you and Liam could stay here by yourselves. We'd only be gone for a few days. No one wants to ruin your holidays."
"You don't have to worry about me," I say. "I'll do whatever's best for you."
"Of course I'm going to worry about you," Kennedy says. "You were my boyfriend less than an hour ago. I can't suddenly stop caring about you. And I don't want you to leave for my sake."
"Kennedy—"
"And it's not just about me, either. If you go home, Liam would either have to go with you or stay here by himself."
"Does he know about this?"
"Bonnie's telling him now. He wouldn't mind staying here with you. He does like you, you know. It's not because he made me a promise or anything. And I'm sorry about that, by the way. I know that upset you." She casts me a glance.
I nod. I know that now. "So Liam and I would stay here," I clarify. "Alone." My body sizzles with energy.
"Yes," Kennedy says. "We can discuss it more back at the house. But… what do you think?"
This is a bad idea, Curtis. I manage a nod. "Yeah. That's fine."
20
Liam: Alone Together
I sit on the king bed in the master bedroom, cross-legged like a five-year-old. On the carpet in front of me, Kennedy sorts through a pile of clothes, dumping the ones she needs into a suitcase.
The suitcase is Erin's. Since the girls will be away for only two nights, they don't need to bring much, so they're sharing one suitcase between the three of them.
"It sucks that I only got this room for a couple of nights," Kennedy says, tucking her hair behind her ear as she uses her other hand to fold a sweater. "At least you'll get to enjoy it, though. Better bags it before Curtis."
When I don't respond, she looks up from her folding. "Liam?"
