Page 135 of Beneath the Hood

“No, I—” My stomach cramps. “This is an entirely different situation.”

“I would hope so. Unless you’ve been in love with me all this time and just haven’t told me.” He grins.

“When did you become the smart-ass in this friendship?”

He shrugs. “Probably when you became the broody prick.”

Sinking down to the floor, I rest my arms on my knees.

He slides down beside me, his head clunking against the wall. “Love sucks sometimes.”

I laugh. “You’re telling me.”

He shakes his head. “Fucking painful.”

The doorbell rings but he doesn’t make a move to go answer. “Life is full of regrets, Jax. Don’t let this be one of them.”

My heart falters. “So, I should what, just forgive her?”

“I didn’t say that.” He shrugs. “Only you know what you can live with.”

“Sage advice,” I snark.

He smiles, dimples popping in his cheeks. “I’m a fucking treasure trove of good advice these days. You’re welcome.”

Smacking my knee before standing up, he walks down the hall.

My mind races, my stomach soaring then diving to the floor. Reaching up to grab my dad’s dog tags, I close my eyes and pray for some guidance.

And then, I stand up and walk to the front door.

58

Blakely

I’ve never felt so normal.

Pulling off the highway when I see the sign for Sugarlake, I stop at the first building, which happens to be Sugarlake High.

I’m worried I’ll be recognized, and it turns out I’m right, because the first people I see are two girls sitting in the front office when I walk inside.

One looks up, her jaw dropping as she nudges the other with her arm. Sighing, I paste on a smile, walking over to take selfies and chat, before asking them to please not mention to anyone that I’m here.

They swear they won’t, but I don’t have high hopes.

Glancing around and not seeing anyone else I can ask for help, I head back out to the car, calling my dad on the phone and letting him know I made it safe. Just as I’m hanging up, a woman walks toward me, her hand shielding her eyes.

“Hi. Can I help you with somethin’?” she asks.

I lock my gaze on her, taking in her curly red hair, and slip my phone into my back pocket. “Oh, hi.” Nerves buzz around my stomach like bees, my teeth sinking into my lower lip. “I’m not sure.”

“You new in town?”

Laughter bursts from my chest, because yeah, technically, she’s right. “I guess you could say that. I’m looking for someone, but now that I’m here I’m not quite sure where to look. I just stopped at the first place I saw.” I gesture to the school building. Apprehension snakes its way up my middle, gripping my throat. “He doesn’t exactly know I’m here.”

“Surprise visit?” She smiles, her green eyes sparkling.

I grimace, second-guessing my decision to hop on a plane and fly here on a whim. “Something like that.”

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