Cat Sebastian

There it is, that smile that splits the difference between smug and bashful. Nick wants to kiss it off his face. Some of that must show in his expression because Andy looks away, that smile still in place.

one thing I do know is that I want to be with you.”

“I want you to be safe. I need you to be safe, Nick. I can’t function in a world that won’t let you be safe.”

But everything with Nick always feels right. From the beginning, all the things that usually are jagged and dangerous have been smoothed down, like rocks after centuries on a riverbed, like something he can hold safely in his hand. It’s never hard to ask Nick for help or to let him see the frightened and awkward parts that Andy usually keeps hidden away.

That’s the thing about walls. They don’t tend to appear for no good reason; they’re either closing something off or holding something up, and you can’t just wish them away.

That’s the thing about walls. They don’t tend to appear for no good reason; they’re either closing something off or holding something up, and you can’t just wish them away.

“I got these for you.” Andy makes himself tag on those last two words so Nick will know this wasn’t an errand; it’s a gesture. It’s someone bringing flowers to the person he loves. Simple as that.

I’m not the same player I was a few months ago

. And I know that sounds dumb—it was only a batting slump, not a tornado or whatever. But something broke, and I got put together different, and I think that’s maybe what those girls are talking about. You get jilted, you get fired—maybe those things change you.

even after a disaster, there’s still tomorrow.