She lifts her chin, her eyes blazing with anger I totally deserve. “Did it ever occur to you that maybe I’m not single? Did it ever occur to you that I might have a boyfriend? That maybe I haven’t spent the last seven years waiting around for you?” She folds her arms, disgust clear in the curl of her lip. “You are so self-centered.”

I shove my hands into my pockets so they don’t get me in trouble. My pride is bruised as fuck, but this conversation isn’t over. “It did occur to me. That’s why I asked Jake. He said you weren’t seeing anyone.”

“So Jake is an expert in my love life now? You think he knows about every guy I’ve dated? Every man I’ve taken to bed?” She huffs out a breath. “Even if I were single—which, sorry to disappoint you when you’re stuck in Jackson Harbor with no one else to fuck, I’m not—how egotistical do you have to be to assume I’d want to climb back into bed with you?”

There’s so much happening in that sentence that I’m not even sure where to start. Maybe I am self-centered, because I start with the part that hurts the most. “You are seeing someone.”

She folds her arms protectively across her middle. “Yeah.”

“It can’t be that serious if you haven’t introduced him to your family.”

“Don’t make assumptions about my life.”

“Do you love him?”

There’s something else in her expression—pain? Awkwardness? I can’t tell. “It’s complicated.”

I step forward and lift a hand, but I stop myself, turning around gripping the doorknob before I make the mistake of touching her again. I feel her eyes on my back. “I never expected you to wait for me. You deserved better than that.” When I look at her over my shoulder, her expression is tight, her chest heaving like it would have if I’d had the chance to finish that kiss. “I stayed away because you deserved better than me.”

Part III.

Shay

February 24th, twelve years ago

Easton: Carter said you’re staying home when everyone visits next month.

Me: Sorry. I can’t believe you’re bringing all the Jacksons to LA. Big shot.

Easton: I miss everyone. I swear I’m not trying to show off.

Me: I’m just teasing you. I’m sure it’ll be awesome. Mom is buzzing about it. I hope you have fun.

Easton: Is everything okay?

Me: I have tests for school and I have to get my final papers done early before graduation.

Easton: Because you’ll be in New York while everyone else takes finals.

Me: Spying on me?

Easton: Carter and Jake crow about you like they’re responsible for your brain or something.

Me: That’s kind of sweet.

Easton: I wish you were coming.