Chapter 4

“Let him go, Mick. He has to do this,” Abby said. “We have to. Both of us have known for a while.”

“Known what?”

“That we rushed this,” Abby answered. “All of it.”

“How is it rushed? It’s been eleven years! Romeo and Juliet got married after a week.”

Neither of them corrected my literary reinterpretation, but rather just looked at me pitifully.

“I’m sorry.” I punched my thigh. “I push too hard for love…out of love.”

Major shushed me. “That was going to be our first dance tomorrow.” He nodded back toward the main dining area. “‘Still Into You’ by Paramore.” He brushed Abby’s bare arm, like he had my cheek. “I think I might not like this song anymore after tonight.”

Abby took his hand. “Maj…”

“Don’t hate me,” he said to her.

“Never.”

“Or you, Sally.”

“Dude…” I shook my head.

“With my parents gone, I think maybe I was afraid to end up alone.” Major steeled himself. “Now, I think that’s what I need for a while.”