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NASHVILLE IN THE SUMMER wasn’t for the faint of heart—the heat and humidity were oppressive Preston had invited our friends over to hang out by his dad’s pool, and e ran out of beer in the cooler, I volunteered to get the other case froe I did it because I needed a break from everyone

Preston Lowe and I had been together forthe suh school Since then, we’d done alether All the school dances Fae Hell, our senior class even voted us ‘Most Likely to Marry Their High School Sweetheart’

I’d loved hiinity

But

Preston had changed I didn’t know if there was a turning point, or a single event that uy I’d known We’d gotten comfortable with each other— when he thought I looked like I wasn’t ‘trying’ any like a bitch

It was June now, and ere both home from Vanderbilt University, but I saw my boyfriend less this summer than I did ere at school We had jobs, sure But today heout with our high school friends than he ith me

God We’d been best friends, and noe didn’t really talk any Preston only called me when he was horny That’s what I’d become to him

Cassidy Shepard—Preston’s release valve

I tuckedby Joven as I walked through the house to the garage on the far side of the home I opened the door and padded down the two steps into the cavernous garage, not bothering with the overhead light The cement floor was cold on the soles of my bare feet, but the o of my annoyance with Preston Maybe I was just in a bad mood and needed to shake it off

I did that

Literally