Her expression hardened.“How dare you—”
“You think you have any right to come here now and scream at me about Lori and her problems?”I cut in.“I'm surprised you even have the address of this place.What, one visit in three years?Is that all I'm worth to you?You disappeared after dad died and only showed interest in me after Chase was in the picture.And now you show up here because losing Chase was an inconvenience toyou?”
Her jaw tightened.
“This was never about Lori,” I said, shaking my head.“And it was definitely never about me.It was about what you thought you could gain.I spent so long trying to be what you wanted.Trying to meet expectations that were never really about me in the first place.Trying to win my mother back.”
My throat tightened slightly, but I pushed through it.
“I’m done with that.”
The words settled between us.
Final.
“I’m done trying to please you,” I continued as I took another step forward, forcing her to retreat.“Done chasing approval that only shows up when it’s convenient.Done making excuses for you and letting you walk all over me.Done trying to be a version of myself that only placates you.”
Her expression shifted—something almost uncertain flickering there—but it was too late for that.
“You don't get to come into my life and dictate anything anymore,” I said simply.
I reached for the door, and without another word, I shut it in her face.The sound echoed louder than it should have, and for a second, I just stood there, eyes shut, hand still on the handle, my breathing uneven.
Did I just…
When I steadied my breathing, I spun around and almost doubled back when I found all eyes on me.
“Yes, gyal!”Nerissa exclaimed first, shooting up from the couch and pointing at me.“You freaking ate her up!That’s what I’m talking about.”
I rolled my eyes despite myself, a small huff of laughter slipping out as the tension eased just a fraction.Jesse chuckled and leaned back on the couch, but Ari wore a confused expression as he looked down at his fingers.
And pride was swimming in Grandma and Jaxon’s eyes.
“Relax,” I muttered, brushing it off as I walked back over.“It’s not that deep.”
“You can say whatever you want, but we're all thinking it,” she shot back, but she was smiling.
I ignored her, dropping back onto the couch beside Jaxon like nothing monumental had just happened.
“Whatever, can we just go back to the show now?”I said, picking up the remote and gesturing toward the TV.“Some of us were invested.”
There were a few amused glances, but no one pushed.Jesse picked up the remote and resumed the series, and I tried to find the comfortable spot snuggled with Jaxon again.Sighing into him, I focused on the rest of the episode when I felt Jaxon's fingers under my chin.His gentle touch stirred my focus to him and I met his gaze.
“I’m proud of you, Savannah,” he said quietly before leaning in and pressing his lips to mine.
His lips moved against mine, kissing me so softly that I could feel it in every bone in my body.His fingers grazed my cheek before moving to cup the back of my neck, and when he exhaled, the way he melted into me had me leaning toward him.
“Well, wait just a fucking second!”Ari suddenly blurted out.
We both pulled away, and everyone in the room was looking at him.He was staring at us, eyes wide, looking between me and Jaxon like something had just clicked.
“It was fake the entire time?”
34 | Last Chance to Back Out
Jaxon
ONE WEEK LATER
