[Love & Ruin 02] • Love & Deception

Home, heartbreaking home.

The last thing I wanted was to come back to Louisiana,

but with my father reeling from a family tragedy,

someone has to make the arrangements and

deal with the aftermath.

I hold everything together,

even while drowning in my own grief—

both for my family and the perfect life I had at school.

When Hendrix shows up trying to convince me to take him back,

I push him away.

Dealing with him on top of my dad’s drinking is just too much.

I don’t even know what to think.

But Hendrix is persistent,

writing to me,

being there for me,

letting me know that I still matter and that he’s not going anywhere.

His determination sparks a glimmer of hope,

but my dad once again finds a way to ruin everything.

More secrets.

More lies.

How can anything ever be right again?