“Not anymore.”
When Troy and his friends schlep away, Mr. McNamara crouches beside us. “Do you need to go to the hospital?”
“Nah.” Jace sweeps the blood from his face with the back of his hand. “Thank you.”
“If he bothers you again, Miss Cartwright, you come see me.”
“Yes, sir.”
He rises to a stand. “If both of you are fine, then I must go take care of my own business.”
Alone, I touch the oozing gash on Jace’s cheek. “Your poor face.”
“Don’t worry, I was born with it.”
I roll my eyes and help him rise on wobbly legs. “So … that was weird.”
He breathes out a humorless laugh. “Just a regular day in Hell’s Bend, Texas.”
I clean his wounds as best as I can with a wet paper towel. “I guess this is what they call a mega happy ending.”
A pfft sound floats off his tongue. “I bet you think I’m gonna kiss you now,” he snaps, his lips curling into a sneer.
“Aren’t you?”
“Please. Like I’d ever wanna kiss some spoiled brat princess.”
My jaw falls in mock horror. I shove his shoulder. “Well, you’re nothin’ but an asshole redneck bully, and I don’t want to kiss you either.”
“I hate you.”
I click the roof of my mouth with my tongue. “I hate you, too.”
He wraps me in his arms, his heart beating against mine as he pulls me in. “Then I guess it’s settled,” he says before pressing his lips to mine.
Epilogue
Reply to: [email protected]
Subject: I hate you. When are you flying in?
Ellie,
Here’s my travel itinerary. I’ll be coming into JFK next Tuesday, and I can’t wait to see you. Seven months is way too fuckin’ long, but it will all be worth it once we’re together again. I’ve been working like a dog, saving all my cash for the big move. Hope New York is ready for me.
To answer your question, Mom’s okay with me leaving. I mean, she’s sad, of course, but she knew how hard it was for me to say goodbye. She misses you. I told her we’d try to visit after the spring semester. That seemed to make her happy.
Oh, and Dusty gave me some shit to bring to you. Some old pictures of your mom he thought you’d like to have. He knows you’re trying to distance yourself from all that, but picking up Coltrane doesn’t make you less of a Cartwright, I guess. I’m just looking forward to the day you become a Wilder. And don’t rollyour eyes—it’s gonna happen. You’re never getting rid of me. We got that forever thing going on.
I know I haven’t said it, but I’m really proud of you, El. You’re kicking ass at school, you’re killing it on Etsy, and you’re making a name for yourself out there in the city. You’re doing everything you set out to do.
Anyway, I guess that’s it. I’ll be seeing you soon.
Love, Jace.
P.S. I hate you. ;)
***