By Your Side

the long version

Autumn Collins doesn’t let anyone get close. She can’t tell anyone about her anxiety, especially not Jeff—he’d never be her boyfriend if he knew. But then she gets trapped in the library, instead of making it up the mountain to a bonfire with Jeff and her friends. And she isn’t alone: Dax Miller got locked in, too. With tattoos and a juvie record and a constant scowl, Dax isn’t exactly helping Autumn feel any better. She’s sure Jeff will realize that he left her behind and come racing back to rescue her, any minute now. Only he doesn’t come. No one does—instead, a snowstorm blows into town and the temperature plummets. Autumn tries to stay calm. As she and Dax trade secrets, forage for vending machine food, and huddle together for warmth, Autumn realizes she may not survive the weekend if she doesn’t let Dax get close. And to her surprise, she may want him to.