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Xander
Hurt shone in her eyes.
But it was nothing compared to how much it ripped me to shreds to hear the contempt in her voice.
“No,” she said. “I have nothing to say to you.” Peyton wrapped her arms around her waist.
“Peyton, maybe you should—”
“It’s okay,” I shook my head at Fee. “I won’t keep you all. But take this, please.” Unzipping my jacket, I retrieved the envelope from the inside pocket and handed it to her.
“What is it?” She stared at it like I’d given her a ticking time bomb.
“Just read it. Please?”
Peyton held my gaze but gave nothing away. “I’m ready to leave now.” She stalked past Jase and Felicity, climbing into his car.
“It’s good to see you.” Fee pulled me into a hug. “I’m so mad at you for staying away this long.”
“I’m sorry, for everything.”
It wasn’t enough, but forgiveness didn’t happen overnight.
“How is she, really?” I looked over at the car, wanting nothing more than to go to her.
“She’s okay,” Jase said. “For much as I was against it, I think graduating early will be good for her. She worked her first full shift at the diner yesterday. We haven’t seen her smile that much in a while.”
“I’m going to check on her.” Fee squeezed Jase’s hand. “Don’t be long.”
He gave her a small nod, watching her leave, and then looked at me. “You came.”
“I almost didn’t.”
“What changed your mind?”
“There’s a lot I never got to say to her.”
“Are you sticking around?” His brow lifted.
“Yeah, I’m staying at a motel just outside of town.”
“Does Cam know you’re back?”
“Not yet.”
“You two need to talk.”
“I know.” My chest rose with the weight of the words. “Listen, I have no right to ask, but tell her to read the letter.”
“Will it make me want to hunt you down and break your legs?”
“Probably, but life’s too short not to go after what you want.”
“And what do you want, Xander?” His cool gaze burned into me.
“I want it all.”
Without explanation, I spun on my heel and took off down the sidewalk. Peyton wasn’t ready to talk, but she wasn’t the only one I needed to apologize to.
