CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

RIDLEY: I’m fucking everything up.

GRAYSON: It sounds like you’re doing the best you can with everything going on.

RIDLEY: I still think we should tell Vera.

GRAYSON: Is it just that you feel bad, or?

RIDLEY: I feel bad all the time, Gray, so no. It’s that it feels WRONG.

GRAYSON: I hate when you say shit like that. It makes me want to like wrap you up in bubble wrap and feed you soup.

RIDLEY: Wtf?

GRAYSON: I don’t know, it just does. But yeah, there’s no good answer here.

RIDLEY: But is there a right one?

GRAYSON: I just want you to be happy.

RIDLEY: Yeah about that . . .

GRAYSON: Okay, aside from all the drama with Dad and Verona, how are things with you and Peak?

RIDLEY: All her friends hate me, and her parents think I’m someone else. So good, I guess?

GRAYSON: Oh my god, Ridley.Why can’t your life be easy?

RIDLEY: . . . right?

GRAYSON: Well, winning over her friends should be easy enough. Just go be your charming self.

RIDLEY: So funny.

GRAYSON: I’m being serious. Go hang out with them. Show them you’re worth the trouble.

RIDLEY: I’m not though.

GRAYSON: Ridley, don’t make me come over there.

RIDLEY: That threat works better when we’re on the same side of the country.

GRAYSON: I can be wheels up in an hour. Do not test me.

RIDLEY: Fine, fine, I’ll hang out with them. If only to spare some poor flight attendant from having to deal with you.