Page 42 of Redemption

My eyes narrow. “Excuse me. Obviously, I didn’t mean to ruin your shirt. If it doesn’t wash out, I’d be happy to replace it.”

“I don’t need you to replace my goddamn shirt, Presley,” he growls. “I just need you to watch where you’re goin’.”

“Duly noted. Now, if you’ll excuse me...” I try stepping around him, but Beckett’s hand lashes out again, grabbing my wrist.

“Hold on a second.”

My eyes flicker to my wrist. “Let go of me, Beckett. I didn’t give you permission to touch me.”

He pulls back again, shaking his head. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he was confused about how his hand got there.

“Where are you off to in such a hurry?”

“Why does it matter?” I let out a tired sigh.

Beck’s bourbon eyes fall to my cup before making their way back to my face. Ah, I get it now. He’s wondering what just went down inside that store.

I roll my eyes. “Why don’t you go ask your girlfriend? You might have better luck.”

He briefly glances over my shoulder. We’re off to the side of the coffee shop, so I don’t think he’s able to see Nicky, but it’s obvious he’s thinking about her.

“What did she say to you?”

I scoff. “Don’t you mean what did I say to her? Don’t worry, Beck. I’m sure her precious feelings are just fine.”

He looks me dead in the eye. “What did she say to you, Presley?”

I startle, thrown off guard by the vehemence in his tone. I take the few steps necessary to get to my vehicle. Beck doesn’t try grabbing me again, but his eyes follow my every move.

“Nothing special. She was just needlessly marking her territory.”

His forehead creases. “I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

I hold my hand up. “Don’t bother, Beckett. I’m a big girl. A few bitchy comments aren’t going to break me. Trust me, I’ve been exposed to much worse. Catty women are nothing in the grand scheme of things. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back. Send me the bill for your shirt if the stain doesn’t come out.”

He opens his mouth to say something but snaps it shut when I open the truck door and seal myself inside. I can feel Beck watching me through the windshield as I put the key in the ignition and crank the engine. I can still feel the burn of his stare as I’m backing out and driving away. The buzz crawling beneath my skin doesn’t subside until I’ve turned a corner, completely cutting off his line of sight. I curl my shaking hands around the steering wheel, telling myself to calm down. I shiver when I remember the feel of his warm body pressed against mine and how strongly I reacted to his proximity.

Seriously, what the hell was that? How can Beckett still have that kind of effect on me? After everything we’ve been through, after everything I’ve been through since, it shouldn’t be possible. Yet, as I glance down at the evidence of my arousal poking through my shirt, I know it’s true. My mind and my heart may be in tatters right now, but my body remembers his touch.

And unfortunately for me, it desperately wants more.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Presley

– Age 18

“Hey. Thanks for meetin’ me here.” I take a seat next to Beck on the tailgate. He backed his truck up against the edge of the pond, so we’re facing the water.

His eyes roam over my face, digging, searching for answers. I don’t know how, but he knows I’m leaving. There’s no doubt in my mind.

Beck grabs my hand, weaving our fingers together. Neither one of us looks away from our joined hands. “Just say it.”

I take a deep breath, trying to ignore the sharp pain in my chest. “I’m leavin’, Beckett. I emailed the admissions office at NYU, explainin’ my circumstances. I asked if they still had room for me in the fall semester, and... they said yes. My flight leaves in the mornin’.”

His grip on me tightens. When I look up, I see his eyes are closed, his head hanging low. When he opens them, they’re filled with tears, begging me to change my mind.

“Pres. Please don’t do this.”

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