She sniffled. “Thanks, Isaiah.”

He just shrugged.

“You’ve got to stop tracking me now.”

He frowned. “I don’t think I’m tracking you enough considering you’ve been here before and I had no idea.”

“Just when I need a break.”

“Break from what?”

She sighed. “Everything, I guess. You ever think about our old life?”

He stiffened. “Old life?”

“Yeah, when we lived in that crappy apartment. Before Jenner’s career took off.”

“Oh. That place was fucking awful.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“You sound sad. You don’t like living where we live now? It’s safer and you’re no longer sick all the time.”

“You’re right. It’s great.” She needed to be grateful. She had no idea what was wrong with her today.

“Immy—”

“Are you ready to go? Or do you want a drink? Amos pours an awesome diet soda.”

“Immy,” he said in a low voice. “I’m worried about you.”

“You don’t have to worry about me. I promise. I’ve just had a bit of an epiphany, but I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? Jenner didn’t do anything?”

“Of course not.”

“Sure?” he asked. “Because I’ll talk to him if he hurt your feelings.”

“Jenner wouldn’t hurt my feelings.” Not on purpose. “He’s not responsible for the way I feel. I am.”

“So you’re not going to threaten to leave?”

Shoot. She’d been so selfish. She hadn’t realized that threatening to leave and go live with Maeve would affect all of her friends so much.

“I won’t be leaving.”

“Everyone needs to stick together,” he muttered. “I already don’t like that Maeve and Cat live somewhere else.”

Her worry for him grew. He looked so tired. “You need to stop worrying about everyone so much or you’ll start to get wrinkles like Sampson.”

He managed a smile for her, but it wasn’t very convincing.

“Come on,” she said. “Let’s get home before the others do.”

4

They walked outside to where she’d parked her car. It was starting to grow dark.