Page 231 of Override

"I can go stay with my parents."

Another nod. "Yes."

"Or Rachel."

That finally earned me a glance. "Rachel has invited you twelve times."

I smile. "She'd love having me."

"I know."

"She'd probably make cookies."

"I know."

"And she'd make me watch terrible reality television."

"I know."

"So..." I wait. "I'm going to be fine."

His eyes drift back to the bag.

Tap. Tap. Pause. Tap. Tap.

There it is again. Not louder. Not faster. Just...stuck.

I watch him stand there another several seconds before I finally slide off the bed. The hardwood feels cool beneath my bare feet as I cross the room. He doesn’t notice me until I am standing directly in front of him.

Or maybe he noticed. Maybe he was simply somewhere else inside his own head.

Gently, I reach up and cup his face between my hands. The same way I had that night he saved me.

His eyes lift to mine immediately. The tapping stopped.

"What is it?" I ask softly.

"I don't like leaving."

"I know."

His shoulders rise with a slow breath before falling again. "I'll only be gone a few days."

"I know."

His gaze searches my face as though he is trying to determine whether I actually understood what he is saying.

I smile. "Taibhse..." His eyes close for the briefest second. "What are you not saying?"

Silence. I don’t rush him. I'd learned that, too. If Keaton is searching for words, it wasn't because he didn't want to answer. It was because he wanted to answer correctly.

His fingers find his thigh again. Tap. Tap. Pause. Tap. Tap.

I reach down and cover his hand with mine before he can start again.

The movement stops immediately. "You don't have to get the words perfect."

His eyes lift to mine. "I know."