Page 122 of Burning For You

“He used to be that way,” she argued. “He admitted it. But he’s changed. He said that.”

“No one changes that much,” Keegan said.

“He has.” She explained how Sean stopped her and the few texts. “So you see. I think he just was curious when he saw me and had to see if it was really me. He was going to skip out on dinner that first night, but Sara pushed him. He told me he was angry for a long time and learned that it only made life harder. He’s matured. Even at dinner on Monday, it’d been weeks since I’d heard from him, and again, it was Sara pushing it. But he wasn’t a jerk. He wasn’t like he was when we were kids. I can see he’s changed. Not saying he’s warm and fuzzy, but he’s not that kid anymore.”

Everyone looked skeptical. Well, her brothers did, but they hadn’t seen Sean either.

“Why is she pushing it?” Carrie asked.

Skye shrugged. “I don’t know. I think they have a good relationship. It’s hard to say, but she cares about him and wants to know more about his past. She didn’t even know I existed.”

“Don’t you find that odd?” Brenna asked.

“No. Sean and I were never close. I guess he just moved on with his life and closed the door on his past. I did too. I thought he was trying to open it again. Maybe he is and it’s not as easy as he thought.” She waved her hand. “We had dinner, it was uncomfortable for all of us. Sara and I spent more time talking than me and Sean.”

“What now?” Carrie asked. “Are you looking to have some relationship with him?”

Ash could see the hurt in Carrie’s eyes, but Skye’s new mother would never admit it.

“I have no plans at all. I’m not going to be the one to take those steps. I did it for a few years after he graduated high school and he never responded. I should have just walked away from him at the gas station, but I couldn’t. If he’d blown me off like he said he was going to, it’d be over with. So I’m leaving the ball in his court and told him that. I’m at peace with it.”

“It still should be over,” Tate said.

“I know you fought with him in school.”

“Snitch,” Tate said, looking at Ash.

“What did you want me to do? Lie? It happened.”

“And it’s all in the past now,” Jim said. “Skye, what is it you want?”

“Oh, someone is going to ask my opinion now? Gee, thanks.”

“Don’t be a brat,” Holden said.

She snorted. “You only speak up when you’ve got everyone else on your side with you.”

“Don’t gang up on Holden,” Brenna said. “Just answer the question.”

“What I want is everyone to leave me alone. That includes anonymous arsonists and everyone else in this room who keeps asking me questions.”

“Guess that means me too,” Ash said and stood up to walk out the door.

“Wait,” she yelled and chased after him.

He was outside on the front porch. He wasn’t really going to leave but needed some fucking air.

Here he was losing his heart to her and all she wanted was everyone to back away. Again.

“What?” he asked.

She moved into his arms. “I’m sorry.”

He returned her embrace, shocked that she’d made that move.

“About what?”

“For being a bitch. For pushing you away when I’m not trying to. I don’t want you to think that.”