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Deacon’s shoulders sagged, but his eyes burned into mine "Fuck, Charlie I’m sorry I’m sorry for what I said Can’t you hear that? Can’t you see that?"

"When have you ever been sorry for anything you’ve said or done in your entire life? That’s part of who you are--that’s part of Deacon Carver--unapologetically arrogant and unaware"

A few seconds of silence passed between us before ahis hold onus io?"

"You’d be surprised what I can say when I think it long enough" It also helped tremendously that ere mostly hidden in the darkness

He huffed "Clearly" But there was souard Instead of the sneer I had come to expect from him, it sounded like a mixture of amusement and pride

And I didn’t knohat toh that I was sure he could hear it

"I’--"

"Your face on Monday," he said softly, his voice gruff "I can’t stop thinking about the way you looked at ainst his ave out at his next words

"Just tell me if you’re okay hat happened to Ben"

"What?" I asked breathlessly

"Tell me if you’re okay With what he did to you, with his deathall of it"

"Why" I stared at my hands and blinked slowly as I replayed his words, then liftedinto Deacon’s eyes Mine narrowed in suspicion "Why would you ask me that?"

"I’ve known you most of your life, Charlie, and--"

"We live in Thatch Everyone has known everyone for most of their life"

"You know it’s different with us But I always saw you as shy, sweet Charlie, who hid behind her brother and Grey so she wouldn’t have to talk to anyone When I found out about you and Ben, and the way everything was handled after, I thought you were selfish and ier always take care of your problereed with "