Page 124 of Pieces of Me

“Come on!” Benny urges, tugging on Holden’s arm again.

Holden finally relents, taking his keys from his pocket and handing them to me. “I’ll be home soon, okay?” he says, sliding out of the booth.

“Take your time. I’ll be at Jimmy’s for a couple of hours.”

He dumps some cash on the table for our meal and then bends down, kisses my cheek. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” I assure. “Now, go!”

Idon’twatch them walk hand in hand toward their family.

Just like Idon’thold back my emotions as I walk out of the diner to Holden’s truck.

And I definitelydon’tfight back the tears as I sit behind the wheel, watching Holden and his mom hug each other so tight you’d think they haven’t seen each other for months.

Maybe they haven’t.

Or maybe they have.

And that, too, is something else Holden feels the need to hide from me.

52

Jamie

“That turned out so good!”Paulsays, his voice loud with excitement.

I look down at my latest project: a flying pig made from an old milk can and whatever scraps I could find around the studio. Then I look at what he’s working on: a massive, intricate orb chandelier that was commissioned by the local church.

I stifle my guffaw.

My pig has bottle caps for eyes, and his piece hascrystals.

“You going to paint it?” he asks. “I think I have some leftover pink laying around.”

God, Holden woulddiewith laughter if I brought home a pink metal pig with wings. “Absolutely.”

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I retrieve it, opening the text message from Holden.

Holden:Benny wanted me to come back to his house to show me some of his new rocks. Is it cool if I go?

I’m quick to respond.

Jamie:Of course! You don’t need my permission.

Holden:Are you sure? I wouldn’t go if it weren’t him asking. And it’s been a while since I was over there, so...

Did I mention that Ihate, hate, hatethis for him? I write back:

Jamie:I love you. Go!

His reply is instant.

Holden: I’ll walk home or get Mia to give me a ride.

Holden:I love you too. So much.

“You okay, sweetheart?” Paul asks.

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