JESSE WAS A GOOD KID ──── intelligent, caring, followed rules to a T . . . His friendship with Ellie was a positive one; a good influence on her, he thinks, and someone she enjoys spending time with. ( A lot of time, he’s noted, which begs the question . . . ) He clears his throat, coughing into his fist, the grip of his other hand tightening awkwardly around his horse’s reins. “ Hey, uh . . . ” He’s no good at this ──── at this teenager stuff. ( But he sure as shit knows what he was like at Jesse’s age. ) “ Look, don’t take this the wrong way or nothin’, but . . . ” Okay, fuck is he bad at this. And to bring it up on a patrol, no less? “ I noticed you an’ Ellie’ve been spendin’ lotsa time together, lately. But, uh . . . she’s young ──── not that I’m sayin’ you’re a creep or anythin’, but I don’t think she’s ever even had a crush on someone before. ”
He’s rambling, talking himself into a hole. A sigh escapes him and he slows his horse to match the pace of Jesse’s. He runs a hand down his face. “ All I’m sayin’ is, if she had to have a crush on anyone in Jackson, I’m glad it’s you. Just . . . try not t’ break her heart, alright? ”