Page 46 of One of Them Girls

I let out a sigh. “I’m fine.”

Both men ignore me.

“I’m taking her home. Call me if you need a DD,” Xavier says to Jack.

He salutes before giving me a sad smile. Xavier opens the passenger door, ushering me inside.

Once we are on the road, I look over at him.

“I don’t want to go to the dorm,” I whisper.

“Where do you want to go?”

I shrug. “How far are you willing to go?”

“For you? The distance.” He winks, making me chuckle.

This is why I like him so much. He seems to know exactly what I need.

“That’s cheesy. I want to show you something, but it’s about a thirty-minute drive.” I look down at my hands in my lap.

He reaches over, grabbing one. “Tell me where to go and we will go.”

Why does my hand in his feel so right?

* * *

Xavier

We’ve been quiet the entire drive except when Cassi gives me directions. It’s not long before we pull up to an empty parking lot. It’s dark, no street lights here since the parking lot is gravel.

It looks like they are still developing it. Building some type of outdoor park.

“Come on,” Cassi whispers, getting out before I can question her.

I get out and rush to her side. “I can’t be the prince if you open your own door.”

She rolls her eyes, hooking her arm in mine. She leads me down a path until we are surrounded by trees. After several minutes of walking, we come to a lake. I look over at Cassi, smiling as the moon reflects off her skin.

Fuck, she’s gorgeous.

Then I notice the tears flowing again.

I fight the urge to pull her into my embrace. I want to comfort her, but the other part, my pride, is bristling at the thought she’s upset because of another guy.

Don’t do this to yourself again. It warns me. I know how this story always turns out. Me, broken-hearted while she’s living her best life with her dream guy.

“This is where my brother and I used to go when we needed space. Sometimes we would come together and hang out. Swim, hike, go for a run, but other times, we would come alone. Whenever one of us was upset, the other knew this is where we could be found.”

I can hear the agony in her voice as she speaks. As if the words pouring from her mouth are a dagger, repeatedly slicing her skin.

My heart wins the war, pulling her into my side. “Your brother sounds amazing.”

She chokes on a sob before she responds, “He was.”

I struggle to find the words to say when I realize what she’s saying.

He was.

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