Page 97 of Atonement (Vengeance 2)

“Baxter?” I bite my lip.

“I’m with you, babe,” he says. “Happy to see where this goes. I’d only have to share your heart with them anyway, if they weren’t around.”

Silence settles over the room and everyone turns expectantly towards Jax. I don’t say a word.

“Jax?” Rebel prompts with a frown.

“Yeah, sure, whatever.”

“The fuck, dude?” Thorn throws a cushion at him.

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” I quickly cover.

“It’ll take time,” Jax says. “But we’ll get there.”

He peers at me, and I give him a single nod. I think we can get there. Maybe. If I can ever stop seeing Lizzie’s tear-stained face whenever I look at him.

The guys whoop and restart the film. I lay back into Ace’s chest and relax, already feeling so much better.

Charlotte’s Diary

30/06/23

I can’t believe that we’re days away from finishing year two. The exams have been a killer this time around, but I’m sure I’ve done enough to pass. I’ve been picking up extra shifts in the campus library and studying during quiet periods. Between working a couple of other jobs and looking after Phoenix, most of my studying replaced sleeping time. It’ll all be worth it in the end.

Despite going pretty steady with Charlie for a few months now, I fear we’re on shaky ground. There’s been a few...instances...that he rang alarm bells - just small things when he doesn’t get his own way - but yesterday we had our first real fight.

I guess it’s my fault. I haven’t told him about Phoenix. I don’t think he’s the sort of guy who would want to be tied down by a kid. So I can understand his frustration when he asked me to join him and his family in Crete for the summer. I politely declined, but, in his opinion, was unable to give satisfactory reasons why. Apparently, needing to work to pay rent and keep your home isn’t a good enough reason to ditch your boyfriend for the summer. He was pretty insistent that I go. I, obviously, was adamant that I couldn’t.

We got into a row…and now I have no idea what’s going on. He flies out in a week and I haven’t heard from him since our fight.

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