Page 111 of Liam

I look away, hoping to hide the tears threatening to fall. There’s so muchgoodin his heart. Way too much to be wasted on me.

I attempt a calming breath, and then another, and with his words replaying in my mind, I open the door and cross the street.

Liam

The space between consciousness and oblivion is dark, filled with irrational thoughts, and void of the consequences that come with it.

I think Addie is there.

I can see it in the emptiness of her eyes, can sense it in her words, can feel it in her presence. I know how it feels because I’ve been there before. The difference is, I’ve never had to feel it alone. Since before I was born, in the literal womb, I’ve always had someone beside me. In front of me. Behind me. All around me.

I’ve always had Lincoln.

And I’m not saying that Addie doesn’t have anyone, but I don’t know that for sure.

And that space she’s stuck in? It’s bad enough as it is. I’d hate to think what it feels like to exist there alone.

That’s why I’m here.

That’s why I don’t question her choices.

Why I don’t stop her from doing what she thinks she needs to do.

She’s searching for light in the darkness of oblivion.

And if she can’t find it…

Then I’ll be here.

Beside her.

In front of her.

Behind her.

All around her.

And if I can’t be the light, then I’ll help her feel her way out of the shadows.

Addie

As much as I want to, I don’t look back at Liam for comfort, for encouragement. Instead, I push open the door to Belinda Turner’s office. From the research I’d done, she’s technically not a psychologist yet, but she’s close enough. Not that it matters. I’m not here to see her. I’m here to see the girl currently standing between two boys, both tall and athletic.

Their backs are to me when I step inside, and so they all turn away from the painting hanging on the wall and face me. One by one, I lock eyes with each of them. The boys first, the blond, then the dark-haired one. I’d seen them both before through my online stalking. Rhys Garrett and Dominic Delgado. It’s Dominic I worry about. I didn’t expect him to be here, but… going by the way he’s looking at me, he has no idea who I am. But it’s his sister, Olivia, who I came to see, and shedefinitelyrecognizes me. Online stalking goes both ways, and I expected as much. My name was in the police reports she’s no doubt read. My name is everywhere on my socials.

Iwantedher to find me, and she did.

She wrote to me once, years ago, but she’d already deleted it before I could read it. I never asked her what she had to say. I should have. Maybe I wouldn’t be here if I did.

I’ve barely opened my mouth to speak—toapologize—before she takes a step forward, her hands fisted at her sides. “Get. Out,” she seethes.

“I just wanted??—”

“Get out!” she yells this time, marching toward me, and I retreat until my back hits the door.

“Ollie!” her brother gasps; at the same time, her boyfriend circles his arm around her waist.

A door opens, and a brunette woman steps out, looking between all of us. She must be the therapist, but again, I’m not here for her. “Is there a problem?”

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