eyes that bear more honesty than I’ve ever felt deserving of look up at me.
“How far are you willing to take this?”
“Are you asking me if I’d throw away my whole life for you?”
I nod, and her eyes veer away.
Not a good sign.
“If your family doesn’t approve—” I start, but her finger gently touches my lips.
“Yes. If my parents don’t agree and if Beltline can’t accept you, I’ll leave them behind.”
My heart leaps out of my chest. She loves me the same amount as I love her.
“I promise I’ll do everything to make sure that doesn’t happen. I never want you to sacrifice to love me.”
Her hands press on my thighs. “I’m by your side, no matter what.”
“I love you.” I lean forward and kiss her nose.
She inhales a deep breath, releasing it as I pull her into my body.
“You’ll always be safe with me,” I tell her.
She nods.
Damn, why didn’t I fight harder for us years ago?
Chapter Seventeen
Ella
“He’s going to talk to Dad?” Ariel asks as we find a table in the Student Center.
I follow Ariel to the table with my coffee and bagel. “Yeah. I’m scared.”
“I don’t know why you ever made that lame deal anyway. I’m a big girl, El.” Ariel sits across from me, instantly adding more sugar to her already sweetened coffee.
“I’m not sure why I did it either. Being back home makes my and Crosby’s hope for a future unattainable. I guess I figured one of us would get what we want. Those small-minded people will stop at nothing until he’s burned at the cross on top of Cherry Blossom Hill.” I sip my coffee and fiddle with my phone, checking all my social media accounts.
“I don’t know if everyone feels that way.”
My eyes whip up to hers, and she shrugs, sinking herself into her shoulders.
“What? They drove his family out of town, Ariel.”
“They got scared. Our town was mourning, but they might be different now.”
“Um, did you not hear me when I said that, at Bishop’s, X said he wanted to talk to Crosby. X’s the one who ratted that Crosby was here.” Aggravation grates on me that my sister doesn’t see what I do.
“X was friends with Crosby.”
“Exactly, and if he was ready to turn his back on Crosby, then what must the others in that town want to do?”
She leans back, bringing her coffee to her lips. “You need to go with him when he talks to Dad.”
“Look at these gorgeous girls.” Spencer approaches the table, a Gatorade in his hand.
“Hey,” I say.
He bends down to give Ariel a kiss and takes the seat next to her. “Don’t be too welcoming there, El,” he says, gulping down a sizable swallow of his orange Gatorade.
“Sorry,” I murmur. I take another sip of my coffee.
“Crosby’s going to talk to Dad this weekend.” Ariel fills him in, and his body transforms from relaxed to tense.
See? This man understands where I’m coming from.
“He’s going back to Beltline?” The uneasiness in his voice isn’t missed.
My eyes reach his, sadness matching in both.
“Yeah,” I mumble.
“Man, I knew he loved you, but to put himself through that again…”
I close my eyes, and my fists clench under the table. I’ve never felt defeated over a future with him. This town, my family—I need all the negativity to be washed away. The weight of that town is like a hammer, and I’m the nail. Every hit inches me a little further into the wood. Pretty soon, I’ll be buried.
“I know.”
Spencer grabs Ariel’s hand over the table at the exact time I receive a text message from a foreign number.
It’s a picture of Crosby, shirtless, showing the scars on his back.
Haven’t you caused him enough pain?
“What is it, El?” Ariel grabs the phone as it slips from my hands. She gasps. “Oh my God.”
Spencer peers over her shoulder, seeing the text. “Who is that from?” he asks.
“I have no idea.”
“Well, I’m going to find out.” He whips out his own phone, dials it up, and calls. “Hey, who is this?” He listens for a minute. “I’m Spencer Lynch. I’m looking for Crosby,” he lies.
Whoever is on the other line decides to talk to him.
“Why did you send Ella this picture?”
I’m in shock that this person is willing to answer his questions.
Ariel and I lean in closer.
“Uh-huh.” He nods toward the door.
I turn to find Crosby starting to enter with two girls practically at his heels. He smiles, and his politeness only pisses me off.
Disregarding my celebrity boyfriend, I turn my attention