Nothing Less

I pull them away. “Talk to me. If you want to touch me, talk to me.”

“What did Todd tell you? What is it that you want to know?” This is just her way of still not giving me anything.

Frustration propels me to my feet. “Seriously? Even now you’re trying to evade my questions.”

“You haven’t asked any questions.”

I throw my hands into the air. “Don’t play semantics with me. Just tell me what the fuck is going on. Why weren’t you and Stausey talking? I was more than willing to give you time to trust me, to open up to me. But this is too much. Todd’s in there acting like you’re hiding a freaking atomic bomb under your shirt, something I’m apparently supposed to know about but don’t.”

Nora sighs but stays seated on the couch. “I wouldn’t go that far. Look, I don’t want to drag you into the middle of my family drama. It’s a mess and has been for a while. My parents will barely speak to me, and my sister chose their side. She didn’t want anyone to think that she could think for herself, so she chose them, and that’s her fucking choice. She’s wrong, and that’s the end of it. Todd shouldn’t be in there feeding his bullshit to you. He’s the better one, for sure, but don’t trust him. He mastered the art of walking the line between his parents and mine.”

Her explanation only makes things more cloudy. My phone rings in my pocket, for the third time in the last hour. I pull it out, notice Dakota’s name on the screen, and, once again, ignore the call.

“Would you just answer it, for fuck’s sake?” Nora snaps at me.

“No. Now, tell me about this accident. Who was in an accident? You?”

I take a few steps away from her so I can get some fresh air. I put my hands on the rail and look down to the street below. These streets are way busier than those in my neighborhood. The taxi honks are louder, and more snippets of music come from every direction.

Nora points to the circular building with lights shooting from the top. “Madison Square Garden is right there. Halsey is playing there tonight.”

The talk of music distracts me from my anger. It’s a nice—if temporary—relief.

“Why didn’t you go?” I know Nora’s a fan.

“Because I’m here.” Nora stands up and walks over to me. “Now, stop fighting with me and let me touch you.” She reaches for me and her fingertips run down my covered arm. “Landon.”

She says my name so softly, I can’t help but let her wrap her arms around my waist and bury her head in my chest.