Page 89 of The Sinner (Haven Grace Prep 1)

Grayson turns to me with so much emotion that I can’t resist breaking down with him. “You are the best thing in my life,” he says honestly. “I love you. Thank you.”

As Mr. Trayland excuses himself, Gray and I stay in the middle of a crowded restaurant, wrapped in each other’s arms. He presses kisses to the top of my head and declares his love for me a million times over. I may not have all the answers, but there’s one thing I know.

Apart, we’re two broken souls just trying to make it through, but together, we’re flawlessly whole.

Epilogue

SAVANNAH

Out of all the parties Jace throws throughout the year, I think New Year’s is my favorite. It’s the one time of year he doesn’t make it exclusive to students and alumni of Haven Grace Prep, which makes it the biggest event in town. No one asks questions or judges anyone else, and everyone has a good time.

“I’m still trying to figure out how you broke your wrist.” Carter eyes me curiously.

I roll my eyes. “I told you! I punched a guy in the face!”

“Sure, you did, princess. Sure, you did.”

Everyone laughs, but he drops the topic. Good, it’s not like I ever intend on telling them what really happened. I don’t want their pity. I’m doing just fine on my own.

Since all the bruises have healed and I’m finding it easier to get around now, I told Grayson I could go stay with Delaney. Her parents offered to let me move in. However, the second it came out of my mouth, the look on his face threw the idea right out the window. The plan is for me to stay with him until graduation, when I’ll hopefully be moving to attend Juilliard in the fall. I don’t want to leave any of my friends, Grayson especially, but dancing has always been my dream. And besides, I have a feeling Gray is going to follow me anywhere.

“Savannah?”

I turn around to see most of the cheer team standing behind me, Becca and Paige included. My eyes widen when I see Becca with crutches and a boot.

“Oh my God. What happened?”

“We’re so sorry. You have to come back to cheer,” she pleads. “We need you to be captain again. Kinsley is the worst and has us trying stunts that are going to kill us.”

I sigh. After seeing the way that she was making them practice, I knew something like this was bound to happen. She doesn’t understand that you need a certain skillset to perform stunts of that difficulty. You can’t just throw a girl in the air and expect her to know how to do it. Still, after everything I’ve been through lately, I simply don’t want to go back—but, I may have a solution.

“I can’t. You already have a captain.”

Paige looks defeated. “Sav, please. Kinsley can’t keep doing this.”

I shake my head. “Not Kinsley.” Reaching behind me, I grab Emma’s hand and pull her closer. “This, is your captain. She has more skill and knowledge when it comes to cheer than you can begin to imagine. You’d all be crazy to not take advantage of that.”

Leaving them to talk, I walk away and over to where Delaney is leaning against the counter. Carter is obviously trying to impress her, no matter how many times we tell him he doesn’t stand a chance, but she isn’t fazed. I slot myself against her side.

“You know, you could give him a chance.”

She laughs. “I’m hardly his type. It’s the thrill of the chase. He’ll get over it.”

“Eh, he might surprise you.” I rest my head on her shoulder. “But if he tries playing his normal games on you, I’ll kick his ass.”

It’s clear she’s considering it, but then her attention switches to something else. “Who’s that talking to Grayson?”

I look across the room to find my boyfriend standing with none other than Knox Vaughn. The two of them together can never mean anything good, but damn is that a pretty sight. There’s no denying Knox is hot, and his tattoos only increase his sex appeal. However, at least in my book, Grayson beats him by a mile.

“Knox? Don’t pay any attention to him. He’s nothing but trouble.” I grab her hand. “Come on. Let’s go dance.”

Grayson

I watch Savannah as she and Delaney move to the beat. Even with a cast on her wrist, she’s nothing but grace and beauty. The day I found out she had my father exonerated, I knew I’d never love anyone in the world more than her. I will spend the rest of my life making sure she knows just as incredible she is.

“She has no idea what you did for her, does she?” Knox asks. “How her father really died?”

Savi smiles at something Laney said and throws her head back, laughing. Happiness looks so damn good on her. I think of the letter I plan on giving her tomorrow morning, the one sitting in my desk—a notification of her acceptance and full scholarship to The Juilliard School. It arrived at the dance studio yesterday, and I picked it up from Brady. Her life is finally on the right track, and I’ll do anything to protect that. To protect her.

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