Chapter 23

Renegade

"Are you okay with not sitting with your family?" I take Whitney's hand in mine as we wait for the fireworks to start. We're sitting on the tailgate of my truck, in the back of the football field away from everyone, but still where we can be a part of the celebration.

Around us families are eating leftover bar-b-que, kids are running around with sparklers, dogs are giving them chase, and parents are taking a few minutes to breathe, knowing this is a safe spot for those kids. Someone's set up a kiddie pool and slide to the left of us, and I laugh as I see Holden take his shirt off, taking a ride down the slip-n-slide. Something about the summer air and the Fourth of July makes everyone festive.

"Yeah, I think we both need to have our own separate conversations with Trevor, but tonight I'm not up for it."

I can tell, she looks like she's wilting in the heat. "You look like you're about to fall over," I offer her the bottle of water I'm drinking.

"It's just been a long