Page 42 (1/2)

"Peter never tried to kill me"

"I was there!" Jack was irritated "You can’t tell me that didn’t happen"

"No, it did, but not exactly the way you think When Peter bit ht before when you thought he was going to hurthappen toon you to rush in and save ry to let hi to kill himself"

"No…" Jack shook his head and his face completely fell "No That’s not… Because if he did that, that would mean he…"

Realization flashed across his face, and he looked at everything in a new light All the things Peter did had seemed cold and cruel were all really for o since the day he ht I’d be happier without him

Jack never let himself believe that Peter loved me because he loved Peter He respected hiainst him Then I came into the picture, and the only way Jack could reconcile his own feelings forPeter could never feel the same way

Jack truly believed he was the one that was meant to be with me, not Peter, and that made all his actions and behavior okay But if Peter loved me as much as he did, then Jack suddenly became the villain in his story instead of the hero

"Jack, you kno much I love you"

I reached out for him, and he pulled away He exhaled shakily, so I reached out for his hand again, and this time he let me take it He wouldn’t look atin front of hiht choice And we didn’t do anything wrong, not really I mean… I don’t know What else e supposed to do?"

"I don’t know," Jack ad down so his eyes wouldn’t meet mine, and I touched his cheek

"I’m sorry I didn’t mean to hurt you like this I just…" I trailed off He felt so sad and guilty I hated to see hio easier on Peter You two should be able to get along"

"No, you’re right" He forced a so "I will try"

"Why don’t you come inside with me?" I asked I wanted to stay with hiet to me It was this heavy sort of weakness that just barreled down on me like a wet blanket

"No, I wanna stay out here just a little bit longer Matilda’s still having fun," Jack said Matilda had actually sprawled out on the patio, basking in the sun for warue with him