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He raises an eyebrow skeptically. “Are you going to get your master’s degree?”

I cross my arms over my chest, still holding the flowers he’d given me as soon as I found them after the ceremony. “No. I’m never going to take another class as long as I live.”

“At least this is the last graduation ceremony we have to sit through. I was so bored I was watching Dora over the shoulder of a five-year-old.” Owen laughs as Blake looks at him in disbelief. I’m not shocked. That sounds exactly like something Owen would do.

Dad tips his head backward to laugh at my brother’s stupidity. If you’re going to do something like that, why would you admit to it? “I’m really proud of you, Owen. Your sister is graduating, and you were watchingDora the Explorer.”

“Yeah, Owen,” I taunt, sticking my tongue out at him.

Mom rubs her temples. “I still have hope you’ll be able to grow up someday, but I won’t hold my breath. You two, go stand over there so I can take your picture. How do I work this thing?” she says, and I wince as she starts to push buttons on my camera.

“Babe, she’s going to break my camera. Do we have to take photos?” I whine as Bash guides me to where she wants us to pose. Sebastian wraps his arms around me, holding me close. God, I can’t wait to go home.

“Yes, we do. You’re the one always complaining we never have any pictures together. To get pictures, you have to be on the other side of the camera, Lia,” he whispers in my ear. “If she breaks your camera, I’ll buy you a new one.”

“I can buy it myself if she breaks it,” I reply stubbornly, causing Sebastian to laugh.

I love his laugh. It’s deep and full of joy, causing me to smile as my mom hits the button to take the picture. “So buy your own damn camera, love.”

I gasp and turn to look up at him, seeing Sebastian grinning down at me. Oh, he’s totally being an asshole just to get a rise out of me. I reach up and pull him down by the collar of his shirt, kissing him deeply, despite the fact my parents, Blake, and my brother are a few feet away.

~

I wish I could go back to tell myself that it would have been okay to say yes instead ofnot now. Asking for more time when I already knew the answer is how I lost him, and got all of us into this disaster.

I was afraid and caught off guard. My fear was that Sebastian’s dreams would overpower mine, and I’d lose who I was in the process of loving him. Bash never would have let that happen, though. I know that now. Hell, I always knew it.

Tears burn in my eyes as I torture myself looking at the adoration on his face. I should have said yes.

My fingers move the cursor to the trash button—but harder than seeing it, would be trying to forget it.

I shut the laptop, blinking the unshed tears out of my eyes. I’ve cried enough over that man; things only change if you break the cycle.

Returning to Eric’s bedroom, I curl into his side as his arm immediately wraps around my waist, pulling me closer to him.

I focus on his steady breathing and the steady downpour of rain to close my eyes, knowing it’s no use.

If you pretend long enough, it might actually happen.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Sebastian

“ARE YOU SURE you don’t want to come in with me?” I ask again, despite Kiera’s insistence about not going in.

Kiera averts her eyes, looking at her phone instead. “I’m sure.”

I don’t know what to do, but I’m not sure if I want to push her. Kiera’s been on edge and stressed—which is part of the reason we’re taking this trip. This weekend is supposed to be about relaxing after a week of finals, and getting us back on track. I for one could use the vacation and time away to breathe, and I think Kiera needs it as badly as I do.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes then,” I say, leaning over to kiss her cheek gently. Zeus whimpers in the back, his tail thumping against the seats.

I let him out, grabbing the bag of his things, and we walk toward Thalia’s front door where he’ll be staying with her for the weekend. I originally asked Owen, but he and Blake are also going out of town for a work convention at Blake’s company. He suggested I ask Thalia, reminding me how excited Zeus was to see her at that awful dinner.

I couldn’t believe it when she agreed without asking any questions. It was a short conversation, only long enough for Thalia to say when I could drop him off before hanging up on me.

“Dude, don’t fall in love with her. You have to come live with me again after,” I warn Zeus, who is already wagging his tail faster. I know better than anyone how easy it can happen.

I shake my head, climbing the stairs to knock on the front door. Thalia opens the door a few seconds later, and Zeus whines loudly, immediately demanding her attention. Yeah, I’ll be lucky if he wants to come live with me again in a few days.