âI didnât at first.â Evan admitted softly, âI spent a long time running, and not just from angels. I was running from people and pain, from caring. I didnât want to be connected to anyone again, not if I risked that pain again.â They took both of Scottâs hands and squeezed, âeven when I decided I couldnât just keep traveling and living out of my car, I hadnât really decided to make friends here. I always planned on being friendly, mind you but it was hard not to want company once I started chatting and realised I was going to be around these people if I stayed here.â Evan paused to take a breath before looking up at Scott with a small smile, âyou were a big catalyst too. Especially once youâd seen what I could do. And just feeling who you areâŠâ They kissed his cheek softly. âYou and your friends reminded me of how important it is to have friendship and love in your life. Itâs worth the risk of getting hurt. Itâs never easy when you do but having support around you is so much better than trying to do it alone. I know it sounds cheesy but love is so much more powerful than we give it credit for, Scott.â
Grief still swirled around inside him. There was so much he still wanted to tell Lydia and so much she could still do, but heâd at least calmed down for now. Scott knew he liked Evanâs cheek kisses. They warmed his face, yes, but for some reason they also warmed his toes, which was nice, because he didnât own any proper winter boots and his toes were usually very cold. He let their hands swing together for a while, smiling stupidly through his tears when Evan revealed that his pack had helped them see that love and friendship was important. âI wish Lydia could hear you say that. I think thatâs something she really would have wanted to hear. And... even though itâs something I agree with, I also like hearing it from someone else because it makes it seem more.... real. I donât care if itâs cheesy. I like cheesy.â Scott was the king of cheese when in a good mood, anyway. âWe should go and find the others. I think the pack needs to be together for this.âÂ













