Page 82 of One of Them Girls

“Yeah, but Ryan would still kill me if he were here. He would beat the fuck out of me for even considering it.”

I chuckle. “He wouldn’t be too happy with me either. He’d tell daddy and get me grounded for life.”

He laughs along with me before sobering.

“I really am sorry, Cass. I wish I could take back all the pain I’ve caused you. Know that I mean that from my heart.”

“What changed?”

“I think it was seeing your face that last day that did it for me. It knocked some sense into me. After I kicked Mara to the curb, I ran into your friend Jack. He looked ready to kick my ass, but then I kind of just broke down. It wasn’t my proudest moment, but he sat with me. After a while, he told me I needed to get my shit together and that if I hurt you again, he would kick my ass into next year. He reminded me so much of Ryan. So the next day, I went home for a couple days and talked to my parents. Now I’m in therapy twice a week, working through some shit.”

“That’s great, Jared. I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks. Anyway, I wanted to make amends. Please say you’ll consider forgiving me.”

I pull him in for a hug. “You’re already forgiven, silly. Your family.”

He grips me tight, both of us soaking up that familiar comfort.

“What the fuck?”

The voice causes my heart to stop.

Xavier.

I pull back quickly.

“Avi,” I breathe out.

His nose is flaring while his fists clench and unclench.

“I’m going to go. Thanks for hearing me out,” Jared whispers, slipping from the bench.

Xavier’s eyes never leave him as he strides away.

“It’s not what it looks like.”

He shakes his head, his eyes meeting mine.

Pain.

I see the pain behind them.

He turns, taking off the way he came. I’m hot on his trail.

“Stop. Damn it, Xavier, stop walking away from me.”

He doesn’t stop until we’re standing next to his car. He turns, leaning against it, waiting for me to catch up.

“You’re overreacting. That wasn’t what it looked like.”

He raises an eyebrow. “So you didn’t just sit in there, holding hands with another man? One that you have a history with? Or hug him?”

“How long were you standing there watching?” My anger building at the lack of trust.

“Long enough.”

“We were hashing shit out. It wasn’t romantic.”

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