Ri ♡

“There’s no one else. There will never be anyone else. Whatever it takes, wherever we are, it’s always been you.”

“There’s no one else. There will never be anyone else. Whatever it takes, wherever we are, it’s always been you.”

“Every part of you, even the parts you hate. I love those, too.”

“You’re not dead yet, you know that, right?”
“Do I?”
How many skeletons will I tattoo on my body before I agree with her? Don’t know.
I hold my wrist out to her, palm up. We’ve done this enough that she gets it. She places two fingers to my pulse.
Our eyes don’t break. “Garrison Abbey, you are definitely alive.”
Only around you.

“I know her well. I know that she’s pretty shy and reserved. Our relationship moved slow from the start. Like the slowest I’ve ever had. And there wasn’t one day where I wanted to press fast-forward and speed up. She’s also the best I’ve ever had. In everything.”

He asks, “Can I hug you, Willow?”
I breathe deeply, pushing up my glasses. “I’m not that good at hugging.”
“You don’t have to be good at hugging. I’d still want to hug you.”
“Why?” I whisper. His aquamarine eyes skim my cheek, my neck, “…because I think you may be the best friend I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a lot and spent a shit ton more days and months and years with them than the short time I’ve spent with you.”

“You’re my girl,” he says. “I’ve got your back. Always.”

“It’s just me and her. It’s been us for a while, and I’m not letting her go. Against better judgment. Against all odds. I’m not leaving this girl.”

Lo says deeply, “One day at a time. Can you do that with me?”
One day at time. I’d reject that fantasy under different stipulations. I’m not made to be by myself. Not wired that way.
And that’s okay, I think.
Because he’s not just saying one day at a time. It’s one day at a time with him.
With someone. Not alone. Okay.

Lo scoots nearer. “You’ll be okay,” he breathes. “You won’t see it today, maybe not even tomorrow, but one day, you’ll wake up and you’ll want to live.”

“Connor, Ryke, and Lo—they protect me all the time. They care about me when they don’t have to. These are three brothers that I’d never trade in, never swap out, and even though we’re not blood related, I know they’re mine.”

“It’s not every day you meet someone that understands the things you love, but somehow I’ve crossed paths with someone who really does.”