“Love you too.” I hug him tight before letting him go.
“Call me later.”
I bob my head. I look forward to his nightly calls as the highlight of my day. I blow him a kiss before waving at Sawyer and heading back inside to chat with Xavier. “You okay to wait for a few minutes?” I ask Drew as I pass by him. He has his nose buried in his cell, and his fingers are punching buttons as he taps out a text.
“I’m not in a rush, and I just messaged Charlie to say we’re grabbing something to eat after the movie, so take your time.”
I walk into the main room, and Xavier closes the door behind me, looking nervous as he wrings his hands together. “I was so worried you’d never speak to me again,” he blurts. “I haven’t been able to eat or sleep all week for fear I’ve fucked everything up.”
“How could you do that to me?” I prop my butt against the edge of the table, folding my arms across my chest.
“I didn’t have a choice,” he admits, his voice wary. “When I first took the job, I thought it’d be a cakewalk, but then I got to know you, and I was smitten.”
I purse my lips. “Attempting to flirt with me will not work.”
He pushes off the wall, walking toward me. “I’m not flirting. I’m being honest. You’re an easy person to love, Abby. I’ve told you that before, and it’s true. You’re even easier to like, and I knew I was in deep shit within the first week.” His tongue flips against his lip ring in an obvious nervous tell. “But, as time went on, I convinced myself I wasn’t really doing anything wrong.”
“How’d you figure that?”
“Because Drew only wanted to protect you, and I was helping him to do that. I knew you’d be pissed when you eventually discovered the truth, but I hoped the fact I genuinely cared for you and that I didn’t tell him tons of stuff would make it easier for you to forgive me.” He stares at me pleadingly. “So, does it?” he asks, and I like his bluntness.
“I know both of you thought you were doing the right thing, but I needed you to be true, Xavier. You were the last one. The only one I thought I could trust one hundred percent. The only one who hadn’t betrayed me.” Pain slices across my chest. “But then I discovered that was just a lie. That you were just like everyone else.”
“No, babe.” Tentatively, he cups my face. “I’m not like everyone else. I’m your best friend. Nothing about what’s happened alters that fact. Even if you can’t forgive me. Even if you tell me to go away. I will always be your best friend. I will always care about you and ensure you’re safe.”
“Did you tell him about Kai and me?”
He shakes his head, dropping his hands from my face. “I didn’t have to. He could see it for himself. But I would’ve told him if he hadn’t figured it out because you were risking so much with Kai.” I suck in a sharp breath. I’m pleased he’s being honest with me, but that hurts too.
Stress seeps from his pores, and remorse is clear on his face. “I tried not to betray your confidence, and I told Drew the bare minimum because you deserved to be happy, and youwerehappy with Kai. So, I was doing everything I could to ensure he wasn’t a threat to you. I only told Drew the things I felt it was important he knew. Only things that impacted your safety. I swear.”
He rubs at a spot between his brows. “He went fucking apeshit on my ass after you told him about the Grid, demanding to know what else I’d kept secret, but I told him nothing, and he’s no right to demand anything of me now.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t work for him anymore. I quit the morning after the shootout. When I discovered you were missing and none of those fucktards kept you safe.” His nostrils flare. “Did the bastards tell you they kept me a virtual prisoner? I booked a plane ticket when Drew told me you were at Parkhurst, but they wouldn’t let me leave.” Frustration billows from his ears. “I didn’t care about the shit they were telling me. I just cared about getting you out of there.”
His eyes plead with me, and my lip wobbles as I grapple to contain my emotions. If Xavier had come to Parkhurst, he’d be dead now. He’s smart enough to know that too, but he was still willing, and that speaks volumes. I want to hug the shit out of him, but I can’t forget he was lying to me for months.
It’s so hard to remain steadfast.
I mean, I’ve been able to put the other’s deceptions behind me, so I should be able to do the same for Xavier. But it’s different. In both a good and bad way. On the one hand, because he’s my closest friend—besides Jane—it makes it easier to understand and forgive. But that’s also the reason it’s harder. He was,is, my best friend, so the betrayal runs even deeper.
But, then again, I felt the same way about Kai. And I’m giving him a second chance.
Xavier deserves the same opportunity.
“You understand you’ll have to win back my trust?” I ask.
He nods his head vigorously. “I’ll do whatever it takes. Just don’t give up on me.”
“You promise there will be no more secrets and lies?”
“I promise.” His eyes radiate sincerity, and they’re bright with hope and expectation.
I stop fighting it and wrap myself around him. His arms hug me in a warm embrace, and I shutter my eyes, clinging to my friend, praying we can find a way back to where we were. Because his friendship means so much to me. And I don’t want to lose him from my life.
We hug it out, and then I pull back, eyeing him circumspectly. “Your deception hurt, Xavier. It hurt real bad. I’m surrounded by people I considered friends and family, and every person has betrayed me, but I’ve put those feelings aside for the others, so I’ll do the same for you.”
