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“See you soon?” He frowns, but a little of his darkness fades.

“Yeah. We could just see what happens.” I have no idea what I’m suggesting, but it’s got to be better than putting a definite end on things.

Beckett glances away thoughtfully, and the next time our eyes meet, there’s a calm to his features. “That could work. And it makes it less of a dick move to kiss you right now. Since it’s not goodbye.”

I don’t get a chance to respond before he’s covering the distance between us and sliding a hand into my hair, tilting my head as his mouth meets mine. Despite him having to leave, the kiss is soft and unhurried. It’s warm and full of passion. Until the very last second as he tugs on my lip one last time, resting his forehead to mine.

He sucks in a breath, and when his exhale wavers, it feels like more of a goodbye than any words could.

Still, I press one last chaste kiss to his cheek and hold on to that little bit of hope, whispering “see you soon” as he walks out the door. Ignoring the fact that he took my heart with him.

Chapter Nineteen

BECKETT

It’s quiet as I rummage around my bag in the back seat of my rental, so after grabbing a clean T-shirt, I quickly survey the street and change out of my old tee, throwing one last gaze toward Lily’s front door as I jump in the car.

Of course I’d finally meet someone while I was still playing football and living thousands of miles away. That wasn’t supposed to happen. My life wasn’t supposed to pan out this way. I had a plan. A system. And it was working.

No one in my life had suffered because of me. Not since Mom. I vowed to protect the people I love, and I’ve been doing that from afar for years.

By staying away.

So why the fuck can’t I stay away from Lily?

My stomach knots as I run a hand through my hair, contemplating what to do.

Lily’s a smart woman, and it was impossible to miss the hesitation in her eyes. She feels the same way I do. The problem is that I can’t think straight when I’m around her. So, instead of telling her she’d be better off if she let me go, I tell her I’ll see her soon and wave as I leave. Setting us both up for heartache.

When I’ve been delaying too long, I throw my car into gear and pull away from the curb, setting off to roam the streets of Clairmont. I have no idea where I’m heading until the town's famous bakery comes into view. Swinging into the closest parking spot, I’m out of the car before I can question why and grabbing a box of Henley’s favorite jelly donuts—her childhood addiction.

If anyone can convince me to do the right thing by Lily, it’s my tell-it-like-it-is sister. And it’s about time I was honest with her about something.

My thoughts run rampant as I change direction and head toward her house, and I’m not thinking clearly when I pull up next to someone else's car parked in her driveway. I stare at it for a second and it takes me longer than it should to recognize the all too familiar Chevelle SS.

“What the fuck?” Atlas?

The nerves I had coursing through me morph to confusion as I jump out of the front seat and make my way up Henley’s drive.

I pause at the entry, considering whether or not I should actually be here, until curiosity gets the better of me and I knock before I can talk myself out of it.

Whispers roll around inside, and for some stupid reason, I peer through the glass panel beside Henley’s door, finding Atlas as he pulls away from her.

The threat of anger wells in my chest, and I step back, running a hand through my hair as I attempt to calm down. Mom was right?

But Atlas?

“Beckett, is everything okay?” Henley’s voice registers in my head, and I turn to find her in the doorway, Atlas hovering close behind her.

One look at her attire, or lack of it, tells me all I need to know, and I can’t hold back the unjust fury that takes over me. “I don’t know,” I seethe half under my breath. “You tell me.” My eyes flash from Henley to Atlas, and he at least has the decency to look guilty.

Movement draws my gaze back to Henley as she wraps a blanket around herself. Not that it helps. I can’t unsee the fact she’s obviously wearing Atlas’s shirt.

“What are you doing here?” she asks with a bite to her tone, likely in response to the glare I feel forming. She steps back so I can walk inside, and it feels foreign when I step over the threshold.

“I wanted to drop these off before heading to the airport,” I tell her, handing over the box of donuts, my voice void of emotion.

Henley frowns momentarily before her eyes drop to the box in her hand. “Thank you,” she whispers, her gaze softening while my chest burns.