“His laugh sands the rough edge inside me, and I smile.”

“Two guys and I love them both. Loyalty divides and subtracts me from both of them.”

“It sounds so perfect. He’s defending me because Carey would want him to. It’s not about me. It never is, with these two boys. Blake lets me take the blame, and Carey uses me.”

“Everyone takes the picture of the kid with the birthday cake on his face," he said once. "Wait for the unexpected. That's the magic.”

“I wonder how much shame people can hold before they ignite.”

“We talk later,” he demands. “Or now, with everyone listening.”“Go to hell,” I say. It worked before, but not this time.His voice soft, he asks, “Aren’t we already there, Q?”

“I’m two hours late when I pull in to the driveway. It won’t matter that I’m always on time. People never see how good you are. Fuck up once, and it’s like you are wearing a neon sign.”