Chapter 8

“You arethat guy, Zachary Bodine, but nothing I do or say, it seems, will get through to you.” He looked away briefly and murmured, “Maybe I really should stop trying.”

Defeat was something I’d never heard in Lucius’ tone, and it hurt my heart. But before I could say anything more, he spoke again.

“Whatever you decide, I still hope you’ll come to the party on Saturday. Don’t do it for me, but for you. Give yourself a chance to start over and make it okay to do so. I hate to see you withering away over something that happened long ago and wasn’t your fault. You’re better than that, and it’s a shame you don’t see it, too.” He kissed my forehead and opened the door for me.

“Have a good trip,” I said.

His only response was a sad smile before he closed the door.

* * * *

Friday afternoon, around six

“Okay, what’s wrong with you?” DeeDee whispered fiercely to me as we stood side by side at the counter, ringing up sales.