Instead, he cringes, rubbing at the back of his neck. “I doubt you’d have much use for what’s left of it.”
I pull back.
“What does that mean?” I ask.
Pity plagues his gaze.
“Logan sort of…”
He doesn’t elaborate, but I know exactly what he’s getting at.
Logan ripped it apart, didn’t he?
“Oh,” I croak. “So… when you found me, I was…”
“I covered you with my jacket. No one saw shit.”
My stomach sinks.
So, not only was I was passed out, I was also half-naked for the world to see. Got any more good news for me, Emery?
“Thanks… Again,” I mutter.
“What did I say about thanking me?” Xavier scolds me, but he’s smiling. I nod, swallowing a grin. “Let me put a shirt on. Then I’ll drive you home,” he says before taking the stairs two at a time toward his bedroom.
I wander around the living room while he’s gone. To think Principal Emery and my nightmare of a PE teacher live here. A large picture hangs above the L-shaped couch. Principal Emery has her arm wrapped around her son’s shoulders, kissing him on the cheek. Little Xavier is smiling wide.
I notice he’s not wearing his silver chain.
It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him without it.
“Creeping on my family photos, Harper?” Xavier’s breath tickles my cheek, and I jump.
When the hell did he come in?
“What? No, I just…” I ramble, adding to the distance between us. I can’t stand being this close to him. “Fine, I was creeping.”
He laughs.
“Can’t blame you. I’d do the same thing.”
?
?You two seemed close,” I point out, and Xavier’s eyes dart to the framed picture on the wall.
“We were.” A twinge of pain melts through his voice.
“I almost didn’t recognize you without that chain you wear around your neck,” I admit.
“I was seven then. Finn’s mom hadn’t made it yet.”
“Oh… she made jewelry?” I question.
“Yep. Made Finn and I matching chains when we were eight.”
That was a decade ago.
“Ten years, huh? You must really like it.”