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"Hey," Jaylinn says as she steps in front of ive her a curt nod, "Thanks I’lad you came"

MacKenzie elbowsher voice

"Of course," I see Jackie, one of the bartenders, with a line at the bar It’s a perfect excuse to get the hell away froo help out; I’ll see you all later"

My heart is ha in my chest as I walk away I can’t believe she actually showed up here and was even speaking to ht it was final, like that was the end I wish things could be different for us but they can’t

As the night progresses things start to settle down and I’ and the DJ has started playing a feer songs Hunter and MacKenzie, Jackson and Chloe are dancing closely in their oorlds, oblivious to everyone around the she’s left and gone ho

Mason stands fro out of here"

I stand up as well and I pull hi, bro Tell Hailey I’ll stop by toreat job on the place by the way" Mason tells Eli who’s sitting at the table with me

"Thanks"

Mason walks over to our sister and brother and tells the the label off of Mason’s beer bottle that he left behind

"Want to dance, handsouess she didn’t leave

Her voice makes my body ache for her, to tell her how sorry I aet past this road block

Eli grabs her hand and leads her to the dance floor They’re swaying back and forth, talking to each other I keep irl, they wouldn’t do this to me, would they? I can’t believe for a second that they would

Hunter and MacKenzie both give me worried looks and I return the sa like deer in headlights and it makes me chuckle

"God, I’vea silent conversation

"Can you take over? I’ve got to go check on things downstairs" Eli asks

He gives me a look that settlesthe words out loud He knohat he’s doing is botheringafter what I already clai with soht and that would have been a slap in my face but she didn’t

I lead Jaylinn out on to the dance floor She’s a little hesitant at first, unsure if this is what she should be doing She squeezes her eyes shut and when she opens them all her resolves slips away Jaylinn places a hand on my shoulder and her other one over my heart My breath catches for just ain the smell of her shahtly and clear ive her a sad smile, "Always"

She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly "I’"

Jaylinn rolls her eyes, "I’"