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Back Where There's A Will Save as PDF
Chapters (39)
  1. AUTHOR’S NOTE
  2. PROLOGUE
  3. 1
  4. 2
  5. 3
  6. 4
  7. 5
  8. 6
  9. 7
  10. 8
  11. 9
  12. 10
  13. 11
  14. 12
  15. 13
  16. 14
  17. 15
  18. 16
  19. 17
  20. 18
  21. 19
  22. 20
  23. 21
  24. 22
  25. 23
  26. 24
  27. 25
  28. 26
  29. 27
  30. 28
  31. 29
  32. 30
  33. 31
  34. 32
  35. 33
  36. Interlude
  37. Acknowledgements
  38. Content Warning
  39. About the Author

I start to shake my head. I say, “I’ll come with you—”

“NO!” he shouts loud enough for me to flinch.

His shoulders curve around his head as he ducks down. “I already told you. Leave me alone. I don’t wanna be friends with you.”

I blink, not understanding how this has to do with anything. Unless...“Did Billy see us? Did he hurt you because you’re g—”

He grabs my collar using his good arm and pulls me in until we’re almost nose to nose. He snarls in my face, “Promise me or I will tell everyone you’re a faggot.”

I flinch.

I think it’s even harder hearing it a second time.

Or maybe it’s everything else he just said.

My jaw quivers, and this time I don’t stop the tears bubbling over my lashes.

Something flashes across his face, there and gone before I can even get my hopes up. If anything, it’s replaced with something more hateful.

Disgusted...

He looks disgusted by me.

Waylon.

My best friend.

The boy I thought...

“I like you too.”

Lies. All lies.

I pull away from him, fixing my eyes on the ground. “‘Kay.”

Stiffly, he says, “Say it.”

I wipe my eyes and push to a stand. I don’t help him up. I don’t even spare him another glance. “I promise. I promise I won’t tell.”

And with that, I take what’s left of my singed black, chewed up heart, and I walk away.

Holding on to a promise I never intended on keeping.

16

16

Waylon McAllister

A storm is coming.

Across the TV, a blue banner takes up half the screen as a robotic phantom voice warns viewers of the fast approaching storm system.

Quarter sized hail. 60 mph winds. Power outages likely.

“We’re heading to Mom’s,” Mason announces, strolling into the living room. He has a black duffle in hand and a guitar case hitched over a shoulder. “I don’t wanna leave her and Phee alone if the power goes out. You coming with?”

“Nah, someone’s gotta hold down the fort,” I say from my spot on the couch. “But tell them I said hi.”

He nods, just as Shawn walks through the front door.

“Ready?”

“Yeah,” Mase tells him. Then to me, “I already moved our equipment to the basement. Just in case.”

I nod. “Good thinking. Stay safe.”

“You too. Call or text if you need anything.”

And then they’re gone.

It’s only five, yet the sun has already made its leave for the day, hiding behind the thick, gray clouds gathering across the skyline and washing out the room. Trees shake and a branch taps restlessly against the siding.