“He’s an artist,” Lo supplies.
“A tattoo artist,” I correct. She gives me too much credit.
“I’ll go ahead and take credit for that then,” Davies says with a chuckle. “I have one you drew for me at home, too.”
I notice a couple of photos behind the drawings, and I look at the pictures of my younger self with detached eyes. There’s one of him holding me in the parking lot, my head on his shoulder and his radio to his mouth. Another of me in a hospital bed—I assume getting checked out after Davies rescued me from freezing temperatures. Another one of me sitting at his desk, a dazed look in my eyes. In every photo, he’s next to me, or in the background. He didn’t leave me once.
I pluck out a picture of me, after a bath by the looks of it. My hair was lighter. It’s strange to see this kid and know it’s me. I’ve never known what I looked like as a child—never thought it was something that mattered, though I did wonder occasionally. It seems like something so…unimportant, but I finally feel like I have some sort of closure. A part of me that I didn’t realize I had been missing. Kind of like how I feel about Lo.
“I’ll let you get back to your birthday,” he says before turning to Lo. “Thanks for making contact, Logan. You’ve made a two-decade-long wish come true.”
Logan peels herself away from me, hugging him around the neck. I hear her thank him softly, but I can’t make out the exact words. He gives her a solemn nod, then turns to leave.
“Have I told you how much I love you, crazy girl?” I say, tugging her back toward me by her belt loop.
“I wouldn’t mind hearing it again.” She smiles, linking her fingers behind my head before kissing the column of my neck. We?
??re interrupted when we hear Davies approaching again.
“I almost forgot. I don’t know where your other stuff ended up, but I was able to save this.”
He tosses me a dark, wadded-up ball of fabric. I untwist the t-shirt, revealing the last thing I thought I’d see. Lo’s eyes shoot up to mine, equal parts amusement and awe swirling in them before she tips her head back, letting out a laugh.
“Jack Skellington.”
THE END
* * *
First and foremost, to the readers, whether you’re just discovering me or have been there since the beginning, thank you. I started Dare’s book about four years ago. It was the first thing I’d ever attempted to write, and I never thought it would see the light of day. So, thank you for wanting his story and helping make that dream a reality.
To my husband who probably wished he could divorce me while I spent hours upon hours writing, thank you for stepping in making sure the kids were fed, bathed, and happy. I love you.
Thank you to my amazing editor Paige Smith who deals with my crazy without complaint, and to Letitia Hasser for spending 2789423050 years on this cover. I’m sorry. You love me. Remember that for next time.
Hey Leigh, remember when Defy was almost called Dare, but then you changed it because you remembered Bad Intentions was titled Dare back then? Also remember how you forced me to write it so you didn’t change the title for nothing? Thank you for believing in me even when I didn’t. Love you.
Ella, you da real MVP. Thanks for always keeping it real. Serena, thank you for everything. You’re irreplaceable. Bex, Melissa, and Melanie, thank you for stopping everything to help me. Love you guys.
To the bloggers, thank you for busting your asses all day every day. I appreciate you. <3
Lastly, Charleigh’s Angels, my reader group, I fucking love you. You’re my happy place. Thank you for all your support.
Read on for a sneak peek of Yard Sale, coming in May, plus excerpts from Bad Habit, the first standalone in the Bad Love series, and Misbehaved, a student/teacher standalone romance!
Preview of Yard Sale
Chapter One
Cam
5 months ago…
EAT.
Sleep.
Ride.