“Maybe kids are the only ones capable of love. As good as it gets, before you get all fucked-up.”

“A kiss, then Brady said, “Hey, sweetheart.”As he pulled away, I turned, grinning ear to ear. “Hey, Brady—”I halted when I saw his shirt, mostly because I was laughing too hard to continue. My face went hot, from 98.6 to 200 degrees in a second flat. It wasn’t the only part of my anatomy to react, either.The shirt was white and clinging, hot as hell on him, of course. But stenciled in spray paint across the chest in the usual blocky lettering were the words FUCK ME, ETIENNE.“Tried to convince the band to change our name, but they didn’t go for it. I settled for the shirt.”

“What can I get you guys?" Another lie, maybe?”

“Have you ever wanted something so badly, thought you’d die if you didn’t get it, then when you finally did get it, you wondered what all the fuss was about?”

“He kicked me out,okay?""How can a guy who only has one good leg to stand on kick you out?""He doesn't want me around.""I find that hard to believe, Katie.""Yeah,well,he threw snow at me and told me to leave."She looked astounded.As well she should be."Where did he get snow?" she asked.Okay,I'd obviously misread the reason for her astonishment.It wasn't that he'd thrown snow at me,but that he'd had snow to throw.”

“I can't believe you'd rather hold handle bars than a girl."He angled his head thoughtfully."I hadn't considered that.""Maybe you should."He hopped over,gingerly swinging his bad leg over to the other side and settled down behind me on the seat."You got rules on how I can hold you?""Nothing distracting while I'm driving," I tossed over my shoulder, meeting his gaze."We don't need another accident.""And when you're not driving?""The Kate-have-a-good-time fund is getting low.Maybe you should think about making a deposit.”

“all brave men love; for he only is brave who has affections to fight for.”