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"I’m sorry," he said, an extra layer of earnestness in his eyes He leaned forward again "It’s always February fourth Maybe so on, and he didn’t want to bother yo…" He trailed off again A look of concern came into his eyes as he noticed that I winced

That was around the time I was in the hospital Mason hadn’t said a word

"I didn’t want to talk to cause problee of topic, please "So your parents are getting a divorce?"

He winced, gritting his teeth at the sah his hair, he blew out a puff of air His shoulders slumped down, and he started to pick at the tablecloth with his fingers "Yeah Uh My dad kicked us out"

I frowned

"Not e asshole"

"It must run in the family" Memories of Jeff flashed in my mind

"Yeah It does, but this is what I wanted to tell you" His tone dropped to a serious note, and he lifted his head When his eyes found mine, I saw an intensity in theht I’ My parents were having probleuy that year at school I was kinda like my cousin I was a whore, but anyway, I didn’tto happen I want you to know that You were just so nice, and you were hurting I knew Jeff had done soed and …"

I sed over the knot in ht"

"I liked you"

"What?"

"I liked you, before that night Jeff showed ardless of how he treated you, I know my cousin loved you, but yeah I think I started to crush on you because of what he’d say and then I met you in person, and you were more, you know? So I just wanted you to know that I wasn’t using you or anything I would’ve dated you too, or pursued dating you, but you disappeared the nextto ht htly open as I listened to what he was saying I never expected to hear that He liked me? Because I had no idea how to respond, I snorted "Jeff did not loveone of er appeared in his gaze

I straightened, taken aback "I’ot better forabout Jeff… "Where is Jeff? I haven’t seen hi sensation was in my stomach from Jackson’s explanation I should address it, but I had no idea what to say I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to talk about ould’ve happened if he had pursued me It didn’this eyes "My cousin has a girlfriend"

A grin tugged at the corner oftoo and propped his hand up, shaking a finger in the air "His new girlfriend is a serious Christian"