Page 57

Maybe

Jamie held his hand out to Winter, his palm cold. Winter stared at Jamie's offering, his own hands stuffed deeply in his pockets.

"No one's around," Jamie said.

Winter frowned. "I know."

Jamie put his hand back into his pocket. He looked up to the sky, watching its colors brighten and change as the sun bowed slowly into the night.

Jamie stopped walking. "Is this goodbye?"

He watched Winter pause in his steps. Winter turned his head, just enough for Jamie to see his ear and part of his cheek.

"Maybe."

Jamie swallowed, taking his eyes off Winter's back. "For now?"

"I don't know."

Jamie accepted the words with a tight clench of his fists. He sighed, his breath misting and fading up to the pastel sky. Jamie moved to stand beside Winter.

Winter didn't face him as they stood in the empty road.

"You were never mine," Jamie said. His throat felt like it was closing in on itself. He struggled to breathe normally.

Winter pinched his eyes shut. "No."

"I am yours," Jamie said. His gaze on the stars barely poking out against the darkening sky. "I'm always going to be yours."

Winter stared at him. Jamie's shoulders shook and his breathing alternated between deep and shallow. Winter could make out the sparkle of the fading sun on Jamie's cheeks as he cried. Winter swallowed.

"Maybe."