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“That’s great,” Larissa says “But weird”

“Why?”

“He doesn’t have a lot of friends”

My heart tightens, and I look at her with a frown “Really? Why?”

She shrugs “He’s just not very social He never has been If he goes out for a beer or has girlfriends—no offense …”

“None taken”

“If he does those things, then no one knows about it”

I wonder if he’s lonely at night or if he has someone to vent to after a hard day Who eats dinner with him? Who takes care of him when he’s sick?

“That’s … really sad,” I say,

Larissa nods “I know I agree I love Wade He has the best dry humor ever And he’s always so sure of hiht that he was so cool because he kneho he hat he wanted, and how to get it No a by his brothers ever fazed him”

ThatI’ve witnessed in my interactions with him

She excuses herself, giving h the crowd I stand, clutching ne, and let loose of the reins that have kept

The alcohol warht, affected by the bubbly Ithe hts in my brain

The idea of Wade being such a loner staggers h my veins Why would a man like him be alone?

Then again, I’m alone much of the time

I take a sip of the chane and ponder the situation

I’m alone because it’s been a very shitty year I had to pick up the pieces ofyou can’t do with an audience It’s ugly and dark and snot-filled, and the biggest work is done in the quiet dredges of the night

But I’ve ate, to solidify in randfather I don’t knohen that will happen or what it will look like, but it’s eable

“Excuse e round tray sne?”

“Sure”

We exchange lass for a filled one before he moves on

Adele’s voice sweeps through the sound syste the room with a special touch I close my eyes My body sways to the vocals as a peacefulness descends over me

A sudden touch at the small of my back makes me jump My eyes fly open, and I start to spin around but stop

I knoho it is without looking

Wade takes over h the air in a subdued yet bold way The light pressure of his fingers just above h my body His voice is controlled as he speaks next to my ear

“Where did you get your drink?”