When You Come Back to Me (Lost Boys, #2)

by Emma Scott

“Or you can throw it away,” I said. “Or burn it. Or write it on the boys’ bathroom wall under: For a good time, call… Advertising is everything these days.”

“It sucks not talking to you,”

Without letting myself think, I slipped my fingers around the side of his hand and slid my palm against his.

Then he let his hand settle into mine. Another heartbeat and our fingers laced together.

But it was his smile that automatically came over his face when he saw it was me, that was my undoing. I felt it in every damn molecule of my body.

“But I don’t regret tonight,” he said. “I hope you don’t either.” “I don’t,” I said, defiant against the cold. “I never will.”

“And yes, it’s reckless and stupid to try again, but what if we need each other? Maybe how different we are works. Maybe we fill in the missing parts for each other. Ever think of that?”

I shouldn’t have let you walk away.

I laughed. “Clubs are not my thing. Too loud. I wouldn’t be able to talk to you.” “Oh my God.” Holden pressed his face against my chest. “It’s been months, Whitmore. You’ve seen me naked a hundred times. There is no need to keep saying sweet, River-esque things to woo me. You did it. I’ve been wooed.”

Stay in Santa Cruz, I typed. With me.

“Hi,” I mouthed from across the room.

Love. This is love. I’m in love with him.

“No,” I said gruffly. “But I wish you’d been there. I wanted you by my side when I told him that I loved you.”

I love you, too. I love you so much…

“I was already killing myself. Suffocating. I chased you down because you’re it for me. You’re what I want. I’d do it a thousand times over again if I had to. And I brought you here because…” Tears filled his eyes. “I needed my mom to know that I knew what love was. That I’d felt it too.”

“Yes, I’m going for him. Because I love him. I’ve never stopped loving him, Dad.”

“Do you think you’ll ever speak to your parents again?” River asked in a quiet tone. “Never. They’re the reason you’re in Santa Cruz and I’m here.”

I can’t make you believe me when I say that I love you, but I do. I think you love me too, and when you come back to me, I’ll be waiting.

“I’m sorry for every single ounce of pain I’ve ever caused you, River. But I love you and if you give me a chance, I’ll make up all those years. Every second.”

“It’s not too late,” I said, holding him tighter “I love you, too. Christ, I’m so in love with you, I don’t know how I made it through all the days until this one.”

Melting

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, bringing his mouth to mine and kissing me softly. “I’m so sorry. But I needed the time to make myself good for you, because you’re so good, River. The best of us. You deserve the best I can give you.”

“I love you, Holden. I love your humor and wit. I love how you’re always the best-dressed person in a room. And the smartest. I love how you’d give away every penny of your wealth to someone you love without hesitation. I love how you give it away to strangers. You’ve been through hell and I love how hard you fight, every day. You’ve lost so much…” I say, and I know he understands I mean what his parents did to him, “…and I don’t have much to give, but I can give you my name. If you’ll have it.”

“Will you marry me?”

Holden smiles, and goddamn if it’s not the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

These are the currents of a river.”