All I could say was, “I’m so sorry, Jackson. I’m so very sorry.”
 
 He tensed in my arms, but I didn’t care. I hugged him harder, tighter, showin’ him I was there.
 
 For him.
 
 That I’d always be there for him.
 
 JACKSON
 
 I let her hold me.
 
 Hug me.
 
 Be there for me…
 
 Until I couldn’t breathe. Her close presence suffocated me.
 
 “Get off,” I finally gritted through a clenched jaw.
 
 “Jackson, please—”
 
 “I said, get off me!”
 
 She jumped with her arms still around my neck.
 
 Of course, she didn’t listen.
 
 She never fuckin’ listened.
 
 I grabbed ahold of her wrists, tearing her off my body.
 
 Looking into her eyes, I bit, “You got what you came for. Now leave before I make you.”
 
 “Jackson—”
 
 I. Kissed. Her.
 
 My lips smashed right into hers. I did it to shut her up. To silence her.
 
 Right? I kissed her to make her be quiet?
 
 Shoving those stupid thoughts away from my mind, I closed my eyes. Our mouths stayed connected for I don’t know how long, time stood still. I would never tell her this, she would never know…
 
 But it was my first kiss too.
 
 Harley Jameson was my first kiss.
 
 It was only to shut her up. I didn’t love her. I didn’t even like her. I kissed her to shut her loud ass mouth up. No other reason.
 
 I hated her.
 
 With those stupid thoughts again, I pulled away, leaning my forehead against hers. Quickly narrowing my gaze, I stared deep into bright blue eyes that were wide and shining.
 
 Licking my lips, I tasted her tears. They were sweet and salty, just like her.
 
 She was still weeping when she breathed out, “You stole my first kiss.”
 
 “No.” I shook my head. “Cash did. This was my second time trying to steal it.” I abruptly stood up, leaving her there.