My eyes pop up back to his and I can tell he’s ready to hang onto every word I have to say. It felt like he really wanted to listen to me, and for once in my life, I wanted to be heard.
“When did you two break up?”
“It’s been almost a year, but trust me, we both checked out a long time ago. This is going to sound terrible, but if it wasn’t for Milo we probably would’ve ended things a while ago. I know that’s not a good reason to stay with someone.”
“No,” he agrees. “But at least you ended things before there was any resentment in your relationship. I feel like that’s where my parents went wrong.”
“Really?” I question, leaning closer.
“Yeah,” he nods, “my mom and dad got pregnant with me when they were in college. My dad dropped out so he could make money and so my mom could keep going to school. They got married because they felt like it was the right thing to do and stayed together until I was about five. By that time, there was so much pent-up anger that they had a nasty divorce. My dad ended up moving back home to Honey Grove, and my mom stayed in Pittsburgh. Like I mentioned before, I would spend summers here, but I mainly lived with my mom in the city. When I got old enough to start making decisions for myself, I stopped spending the summers with my dad, and we lost touch for a while.”
Henry speaks slowly, like he’s trying to will the pain from coming out too quickly. My hand starts to reach out for comfort, but I stop it. “That must’ve been really hard. I’m assuming you and your dad reconnected since you’re here.”
My heart feels like it’s being squeezed inside my ribs. I could never imagine Milo not wanting to see me. I feel for his dad in this moment, but childhood pain is an odd thing. There’s always more to the story.
“Yep,” he responds, popping the “p” in an effort to lighten the mood. “I reconnected with him after my mom starteddating her wife, Ada. Ada went through something similar with her dad and encouraged me to reach out to him. It’s still weird though.”
“I can imagine,” I mumble. I can tell there’s more, but I’ll take what I can get for now.
“If I’m being honest, this summer is mainly about finishing the book, but I can tell it means a lot to my dad that I’m here.”
“Why did you pick Honey Grove as your setting?”
“Well, like I said, it’s technically not the setting. The author already has a name picked out for the town,” he explains. “But I don’t know. It was the first place I thought of when I pictured what a small town looked like. I was a bookworm growing up, so I never really explored or connected with this place when I spent summers here. I don’t know why I thought it would be easy to write about this town.”
“And that’s where I come in,” I gleam.
“Yes,” he agrees with a closed-mouth smile. “So, you’ll help me then?”
“Yes.” I nod my head. “But I need a favor from you too.”
Henry’s eyes light up with intrigue, and he leans closer. “Of course. What is it?”
I take a deep breath, fighting to let go of the words that have been dangling on my tongue all week long.
“Well, it turns out English is not exactly my strong suit. I’m struggling, and the professor has been of no help. I even tried reading that book you gave me, and it’s all gibberish. I was wondering if you’re still willing to help me?”
His eyes soften, and it sends an army of goosebumps up and down my body. “Is that all? I was hoping you’d ask for something moreexciting.”
The tips of my ears begin to heat up. “Sorry to disappoint, but I just need a tutor.”
He lets out an innocent laugh, the sound warm and inviting. “Hey, no disappointment here. I’m happy to help. Andwho knows, maybe you’ll end up teaching me a thing or two—about Honey Grove in the process.”
I swallow hard at the seemingly intentional pause. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea. I had gone into this with the intention of getting help in my English class, but now I’ve agreed to become his tour guide. I have this annoying habit of not being able to ask for help unless I am giving back something in return.
Regardless, I smile at conquering one of my demons. “I doubt that, but I’ll try my best. And maybe we can get together before or after your writing group so I’m not taking up too much of your time.”
Henry’s lips tilt down at my suggestion, and I catch a hint of disappointment on his face. “I guess that works. It’s not like we’re neighbors or anything. We could meet at your place or my place too.”
The thought of Henry in my home again sends a heat wave through me. Just imagining him sitting at my kitchen table, leaning over my English assignments with that focused expression he always wears, makes my pulse quicken. That’s exactly what I don’t want to happen. “I think the library will work.”
“Alright,” he agrees. “Then it’s a deal. We’ll help each other.”
My phone begins to buzz in my pocket, and I have a feeling I already know who it is. I’m late to drop off Milo.
“Yes,” I say eagerly and slightly panicked. “We can start next week. I actually have to get going.
“Okay. I’ll see you next week.”
