Page 99 of Resurgent

“It’s like looking into our future, isn’t it? Though you’ll be the one coming back for me to show you off to my family,” Theo sighs dreamily.

“Hope I’m not interrupting,” Antonio chuckles, just before I can remind Theo that we aren’t dating—a point that would have been made regardless of my feelings before tonight after watching the disgusting show he put on for my dad.

“Not at all,” I say, taking his hand as Sasha twirls by in her father's arms. “And thanks for that."

“I really hope that’s not serious, because I don’t think Matt will be able to restrain himself from killing him much longer,” he teases, as we slowly move to the music.

"We came as friends, but Tyr's about ready to throw him from the tallest building he can find," I laugh.

“Aiden would have lost his shit seeing your dad here tonight…He was planning to come, ya' know?”

My steps falter, and though I’m sure he noticed, he's kind enough not to mention it.

“He got sent on a last-minute mission north this afternoon.”

“Good for him."

Antonio snorts softly. “Come on, Lee.” His hand tightens slightly at my waist as he spins me once before pulling me back in. “Aiden’s a great guy—"

“And the one who—quite brutally—ended things,” I remind him flatly.

“Yeah, and I’m still not sure why.” He dips me just enough to make me roll my eyes before pulling me upright again. “But I do know one thing...”

His voice drops lower, serious in a way that has me bracing for impact, “He had no idea what he was walking away from.”

My throat tightens, and I look away, willing the tears to vanish. “Antonio…You didn’t tell him…did you?”

The question comes out quieter than I mean for it to, but Antonio’s steps slow nonetheless, his jaw tightening slightly before he shakes his head, “No, Lee. I didn’t tell him why you weren’t at graduation…or what we found out after.”

I exhale so hard my ribs feel like they might tear the seams of my dress apart.

“Good.”

“You really wouldn’t want him to know?”

I shake my head.

“Regardless of how he felt about me, he would be devastated to know that a piece of him was taken from this world, and I wouldn’t want to do that to him.”

“But if he would have come back—”

“Then it would have been because he felt obligated too, not because he wanted to.”

“You don’t know that,” he argues as the song hits its last few notes.

“I do, actually. He didn’t call. He didn’t text. And he didn’t come back. And you know what?”

“What’s that?” he asks, his voice softer now.

“I’m ok with that. He deserves to be happy,” I say as the last note finishes, "And so do I."

Antonio's expression softens, and he gives me one last gentle squeeze before releasing my hand.

"Good," he says simply.

Before I can respond, Matt materializes at my side.

“When’s the last time we swing danced?” he asks, not mentioning the damp streaks glistening on my cheeks.