Page 167 of Dear Love, I Hate You (Easton High)

It’s at ten percent battery.

Shit, I left the internet on all night.

This is going to rack me up a ridiculous phone bill.

I have around fifteen messages from Dia, asking me what happened, why I didn’t sleep at her place, and as much as I want to answer her, I don’t have a clue myself.

Her tenth message steals my breath.

Dia: Finn just told me you’re with Xav. Call me as soon as he drives you home.

Xavier did this?

He took me back to his house?

But… why?

Makes sense that I don’t recognize the place, though. I’ve never been in Xavier’s bedroom before.

I’m quick to decide that, while Xavier Emery did leave my heart in shambles, he’s not a disgusting rapist, therefore, things could be worse. I’m considering my escape routes, debating on sneaking out his window when a new email pops on my screen.

Duke University, the sender reads.

I flatline for a second, unlock my phone with a slide of my thumb and open the email without checking the subject.

I shriek at the first line.

Dear Aveena,

It is a great pleasure for me to inform you that you have been selected…

My mouth falls open.

Holy shit.

I got it.

I got a scholarship!

I don’t have the chance to fully relish in my hard work paying off before I make out the sound of footsteps in the distance. Someone’s coming.

I clutch the blanket to my chest as if to protect myself from imminent danger. The footsteps grow closer. And closer. Until they halt at the door. I hold my breath, waiting for whoever is on the other side to make their move.

At last, the knob twists open.

And he materializes in the doorway.

Xavier.

He’s shirtless, his black sweats hanging low on his hip and defining the V lines pointing at his crotch. Normally, I’d be drooling over his glorious body and cut abs, but my focus clings to the scar carving into his abdomen instead.

It’s faded but deep.

Curving around his lower stomach.

I’ve never seen Xavier shirtless in the light before. He was shirtless on his Snapchat picture and at the springs, sure, but both times were too dark and conditions for a body scan weren’t exactly optimal.

I remember my mom telling me Xav had been injured in the boating accident that stole Nora Richards’s life, Finn’s mom. I just never realized Xavier had to carry the traumatic memories of watching her die on his skin.