“Macy, you realize that you’re talking to me, Shane?â€? He told her the next day.

“I need you help.â€? Macy replied, glancing around for any sight of people.

“No one is around here.â€?

“Oh shut up.â€?

He ignored that. He promised himself he wouldn’t get mad at Macy. “Why did you ask me?â€?

“Because I’d defiantly go to my dead dad, my drunken mother and all my awesome Holly clone friends. Next, please.”

“The Macon list.â€? He said.

“I love part of Macon but not the jerk part.”

“And Derrick?â€?

“I love him too. But I don’t deserve him.â€?

“I want you to know that I still love you.â€? He said suddenly.

“No.â€? she growled, “Don’t you dare say that to me.â€?

Shane lunged toward her but stopped at her expression. If only he could have frozen that visual. Macy was shrunk back against the wall, her blue eyes tight and her mouth in a line. That face was one of suffering. It was that face that kept Shane up at night. It was the one face that he never wanted to see or cause again.

“Sorry.â€? He mumbled.