Meet Me in the Blue (Hemlock Harbor, #1)

by A.M. Johnson

But something changed, and as much as I wanted to blame his move to Los Angeles, or his dad’s cancer, I wondered if it was something I did, or didn’t do. I was never as bright as Luka, as audacious.

We weren’t kids anymore, playing fantasy games and dreaming of rock giants. We were on the edge of something, and maybe I didn’t quite understand everything, but I understood the weight of it. Things were changing.

I

thought maybe kissing could be okay if you knew someone well enough, knew them like you knew a best friend.

We didn’t ask the questions or speak the words, but moved through them to the lobby,

You boys need to catch up.” He practically shoved Rook in my direction,

Both parents are meddling and I love it

found it was easier to tell people what they wanted to hear. They wanted something to feel good about, to think their concern had some effect on the shit eating my dad from the inside out.

“You only have to say it once, otherwise sorry becomes just another word, and the entire point of it is lost.”

I’d never been on my own before. Not really. I had to try. I had to stop depending on everyone else.

“Thank you… For caring about me. But I promise, my sexuality is as confusing for me as it is for you.”

“Fuck the labels. There are all types of love, Rook.”

“It’s not enough.” “It has to be, Luka. This is what we have.

“It hurts too much… being mad. I want to move on.

This was how people rectified things. How they thought they could contribute. Pleasant words and condolences. I couldn’t hate them for it, even if it made the anger in me swell.

“And I think we should start with your dad.”

CRYING