Page 52 of Only Ever You

“I’ve had a crush on you for years. Do you really think I haven’t noticed how you and Thompson fell out after you asked me if I saw him and Sienna kiss?”

“It’s a coincidence.” The lie is hard to get out, but I stick with it. “I like you, Cade, but I don’t like like you.” Ducking, I pick an invisible piece of lint off my dress. “My life’s about to change soon,” I tell him, forcing myself to look at him. “And it’s for the best. You’ve been a really good friend to me. I cherish that a lot.”

“Friend,” he mutters, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “Definitely not the word I hoped you’d use to describe me tonight.”

“I’m sorry.” My phone buzzes in my hand, and when I see a text from my dad on the screen, I take a step closer to Cade. Standing on my tiptoes, I press my fingers to his cheek. “Thank you for tonight. You made my first-ever school dance unforgettable.”

He lets out a defeated sigh. “You’re very welcome, Isla.”

Before I overthink it, I kiss his cheek and step back. “Bye, Cade.”

“Bye.”

I hurry away from him, keeping my head low. Thankfully, I don’t run into Michael; in less than two minutes, I’m climbing into my dad’s SUV.

“How was the dance?” he asks, his expression etched with concern.

“It was good, but nothing really worth remembering,” I mutter. “Dad?”

“Yeah, honey?”

“Thank you for letting me go to Boston.” My voice sounds small, so I clear my throat and raise my head. “Do you really think Grandma and Grandpa are okay with me moving in with them?”

Dad nods. “Absolutely. Aunt Millie is ecstatic too. She can’t wait to have you so close by. Tom and Ben and Damon are over the moon. You’ll be surrounded by people who love you. If I didn’t think that was the case, I wouldn’t have agreed.”

A small smile pulls at my mouth. “You’re the best.”

He assesses me, his eyes softening. “I’m trying.” Then, he starts the engine and drives away.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly as he pulls out of the parking lot. I can’t wait to be back in my room.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

not true

MICHAEL

Sixteen years old

The sound of my alarm is like an ice pick to the head. The pain only flares when I shift to silence it. The vein in my temple pulsates so violently, it feels as if my whole head is ready to explode. I crack one eye open, and the light coming from my window brings with it another sharp stab of pain.

Why does my head hurt so much?

I bury my face in my pillow, blotting out the light, and try to go back to sleep. But a moment later, there’s a rattling knock on my door, followed by Dad’s too-loud voice.

“Wakey, wakey, Michael.” He opens the door and storms inside. “The sun is up; you should be too.”

“Dad,” I groan, pulling my comforter up over my head.

A rush of cool air hits me as Dad tears the blanket off the bed and grasps my ankle.

“I said, get up.” He tugs, dragging me toward the edge. I’m a big guy, but my dad is bigger, and he’s still a hell of a lot stronger. “Now.”

“My head hurts. A little more sleep will help.” I crawl back up to my pillows.

I’m hit with a small pile of clothing.

“You have five minutes to get ready,” Dad grits out. “We’re going for a run.”