“Touch was funny like that. How one movement could choke you and kill you, but another meant nothing more than a caress and an invitation. How sex and rape were just a few motions apart.”

“It means my luck sucks," she said. "It was nice dating a guy wo treated me like a friend instead of a blow-up doll.""You were the one trying to unzip my pants in the truck!""Yeah, well, I thought you weren't interested. I didn't realize that your divining rod just pointed into a different direction.""You're killing me," he said. But it sounded like he was smiling.”

“She was starting to get a little breathless from trailing Casper, though the guys weren’t having any trouble. “How far have we gone? Like three miles?” Gabriel gave her a look. “Like one.” So she needed more cardio.”

“So she doesn’t like the rain,” said Gabriel.Nick smiled. “I kind of like the irony.”…Chris sighed. “No one likes the rain.”“You do,” said Nick. He flung the lighter back to his brother. Gabriel caught it. “Maybe we should put some money on it, see how long it takes Chris to get her wet.”

“His expression changed, and he took a step back. He looked away. "When you said it was broken, you were just being-""No! It is. My phone. Broken." Now she sounded like Yoda on crack.”

“Mr. Merrick, I'd like to speak with you."Mr. Merrick. He hated when teachers called him that, like he was an old man stopping by to learn a few math tricks.”

“Adam touched his face, and Nick froze. His fingers were warm, gentle, and Nick wanted to freeze time.Then Adam said, "I'm an idiot. I should have gotten you some ice."And his fingers were gone, and Nick was sitting there practically breathless with wanting him back.One touch, and he was going to pieces. He wanted to slam his forehead on this table.”