Page 141 of X's and O's

I knew why but I didn’t want to admit it.

Toby had no problems voicing it though. “Because you’re in love with him.”

Tears built behind my eyes. “I don’t want to be.”

“But you are. And he’s in love with you too, girly-pop. I read it with my own two eyes. And you know I’m not team Levi.”

“I know, I know. You’re team Daddy.”

He chuckled. “I’m team Violet. And I can’t stand the thought of you being in love with him and him being in love with you and the two of you being some Romeo and Juliet, modern-day love tragedy that ends in me ruining perfectly good mascara by crying at your funerals.”

I laughed. “It’s always about you, huh, Tobes?”

“Of course.” He peered at the letter again and then at his fancy watch. “Do you think he means for you to meet him tonight?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess that would make sense, since he obviously hand-delivered the letter today and there’s no other date mentioned on it. What time do you think late means?”

“For me? Three a.m. But I don’t think he’s the ‘dance all night at a club’ sorta guy. It’s nine now, so I think if this meeting is happening today, it’s happening soon.”

A little lick of excitement spread through me at the idea of seeing Levi’s handsome face. This felt like a chance to redo that night at the bluffs, but do it the way it should have been then. With us meeting face-to-face and admitting the feelings between us were more than just friendship.

More than just pen pals.

I knew I’d regret it for the rest of my life if I didn’t go.

I didn’t want to spend the rest of my days wondering what if.

“I’m going.”

Toby grinned. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but yay!” He cocked his head to one side. “Maybe I’m coming around to team Jailbird?”

I grabbed my purse and kissed his cheek. “Wish me luck.”

He held up one long, slim finger. “Uh, honey, no. It’s dark outside, and that is a sketchy part of Saint View. Which I know is part of Jailbird’s whole appeal, but you are not going there alone. Pass my jacket. I’m coming with. Don’t worry, I’ll leave before all the dirty hot ghettosex starts. I just won’t have you walking around at night by yourself.”

A ball of tension I hadn’t known I’d been carrying unraveled. Because he was right. The gang situation in Saint View wasn’t great, and I’d been scared walking alone during the day more than once, let alone at night.

“Have I told you today that you’re the best best friend I could have ever hoped for?”

“So I’m forgiven for burning your letters and you aren’t going to make me do your laundry for a month?”

“Don’t push your luck.”

“Fair enough.”

We shrugged on our jackets and locked the door behind us. I felt like I’d been thrown back to the first night with Levi, only now I knew how he really felt. This had to be it. The time we got our shit together and made this work. I still remembered the tingle in my core from when he’d had his fingers on my clit at the diner. And I still remembered the way Whip had so accurately identified it was Levi I had feelings for, even though it had been Whip taking my virginity.

I paused halfway down the stairs, at a window that overlooked the street. “X is still here.”

Toby peered over my shoulder. “God, that man is such a stalker! Definitely not team Crazy Pants.”

Even though X wasn’t exactly in my good books these days, a surge of protectiveness washed over me. “He’s not a stalker. And don’t call him crazy.”

“You do.”

“That’s different.”

“How? Because he got all up and personal with your pussy?”