Free All My Heart (Count On Me Book 4) by Melyssa Winchester Page A

off from a lot of people, so was Eric. Until he started getting out more, visiting with Tristan was unheard of.
    “I know Kayden’s gonna be home soon, but I was thinking that maybe we can get together before he goes back to the city.”
    “Double date?”
    He laughs and hearing it; watching the way his face becomes animated make me feel good. After everything we’ve been through over the last year, getting to not only hear but see Eric laugh, is a dream come true.
    “Something like that.”
    “You and Amelia finally come up for air?”
    “Very funny, Belle. I’m pretty sure with you and Kayden living together, you’re the one that needs to come up for air.”
    He’s got a point.
    “How’s school?” I ask before heading into the kitchen and pulling two cans of soda from the fridge, sliding one across the bar until it lands right under his hand.
    “It’s school.” He answers flippantly, before popping the top open and taking a drawn out swallow.
    “Enough said.”
    “How’s everything with you? Is it getting any easier?”
    “Yeah, I guess. Haven’t really had much time to focus on it.”
    “You still trying to help that Isaac guy?”
    “Mhmm.” I murmur before taking my ow n sip of soda. “He told me that he’s never had a friend before.”
    “Been there.”
    “Yeah, me too, which is why I’m trying so hard. No one should ever feel like we did.”
    “Rescue any puppies or babies from burning buildings lately?” he asks and it throws me off.
    “What do you mean?”
    “It’s a joke, Belle. Are you sure you’re not the one that has trouble understanding social cues?” he laughs and I just shake my head. Of course he’s making a joke. This is Eric when he’s broken out of the shell. A side I’m not used to seeing.
    “Can’t say I have but that’s probably because I haven’t seen many puppies lately.”
    “Anyone ever tell you that you’re probably the nicest person on the planet?”
    “Yeah, you’re the fifth one today.” I grin and I’m rewarded as he laughs again.
    “Also the most modest too.”
    “Yep. So, enough about me. How’s school really?”
    “Easier. Not perfect, but easier. I’ll be glad to get out of there in June.”
    “I bet.”
    With Dillon, Kayden, Amelia and the others all graduating with me this past spring, the hold they had over the school fell. I wasn’t naïve enough to think it was gone forever, but its good hearing that it’s not as bad as it was. It’s a step in the right direction.
    “Eric, can I ask you something?”
    “Is it something serious?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Good, because I ran out of jokes.” He says, his face deadpan. It’s only when I roll my eyes at him that he breaks and laughs again. “What’s on your mind?”
    “Do you think I’m doing the right thing helping Isaac or do you think I’m just making everything worse?”
    When we went to the movies a few days ago, I filled him in on everything that happened so far with Bryan and Randy and how Isaac seemed to react. Eric doesn’t know about Isaac being autistic, but with what I’m asking, it won’t be long until I tell him.
    “Can’t see you doing anything that would make things worse for him. From what you told me, he already has it pretty bad. As bad as we did anyway.”
    “Something happened Wednesday after class.”
    “That doesn’t sound good.”
    “Those guys tried something with me and Isaac got mad. One minute he was squeezing my hand super tight and the next he was hitting one of them. It was scary, Eric. I’m just not sure me trying to help him is actually helping.”
    He goes quiet and where I expect him to say something, offer up some kind of advice or tell me again that I’m doing the right thing, he does the complete opposite.
    “Does Kayden know?”
    “No, but with his practice schedule and our classes, we haven’t really gotten a chance to talk the last few days. A few texts here and there and do you really think I should tell him this in a text