Do I trust my head and keep my distance, or go with myheart and let him back in?
PROLOGUE
Flash
Sixth Grade,12 Years Old…
I heard Dad’s pissed-offfootsteps on the stairs and scowled. I was currently sitting cross-legged on mybed, trying to text Tate.
Unsuccessfully.
Dad knocked,then pushed the door open. “Phone down, bud.”
I dropped thephone on the nightstand and settled my chin in my hand as Dad sat beside him onthe bed. “What’s goin’ on?”
“Nothing.”
Dad nodded to myphone. “Do I need to ground you from textin’ Tate?”
“She groundedherself,” I grumbled.
“What do youmean?”
“She’s nottalking to me, Dad,okay?”
Dad raised aneyebrow. “What did you do?”
“Nothing.”
“Swear to God,kid, you keep up with this ‘nothing’ bullshit, I’m gonna sell your bike.”
I glared at him.“You wouldn’t.”
“I would. Starttalkin’. All of it.”
“A girl atschool’s in trouble.”
“What kind oftrouble?”
“Her dad hitsher.”
Dad fisted hishands in his lap. “And why’s Tate not talkin’ to you?”
“Because I’vebeen skipping our study group to help Madison.”
“Madison’s thegirl who’s gettin’ hit?”
I nodded.
“Has Madisontold her teachers what’s goin’ on?”
“No. And she sworeme to secrecy, but now I’ve told you, so I’ve betrayed her confidence.”
“You like thisgirl?”
“Yeah.”
“Tate jealousabout that?”
