“Oh, he’s plenty mad at Cooper — West nailed him in the face last night.”

Mom snickered. “Of course he did. It’s genetic. You should have seen your father when we were younger. Did you know he bloodied my prom date’s nose?”

Dad frowned and pointed at her. “First off, you should have been at prom with me, and not Brad Wellington.”

She waved him off. “I went home with you, didn’t I?”

But Dad kept going. “Secondly, he was trying to Hoover your face on the dance floor, and I couldn’t stand for that. You deserve better than to get mauled by that trout in the middle of a high school gym.”

She gestured to him, giving me a look. “See what I mean?”

I chuckled and shook my head. “West is just so mad at all of us. Lily kept it from him because I asked her to. I shouldn’t have put her in that position. I shouldn’t have ever started seeing Cooper at all.”

Mom shook her head. “Lily made her own choice, and I promise, West won’t be mad at her for long either. You know he sees reason once he’s finished seeing red. As for Cooper … well, I don’t know what to tell you there.”

I felt like a deflated balloon. “There’s nothing to decide, not right now. I need to talk to West. I need to regroup. Lily said I need closure with Jimmy. So I’ve got to figure out how to chase that down.”

“If he finds out you’re here, you know he’ll be over here in a heartbeat. Do you still want Dad to keep him away, or should we let him come?”

Dad looked thrilled. “Oh, please tell me you don’t want him around.”

I squirmed in my seat. “Can we decide if the time comes?”

“Of course,” Mom answered.

I let out a breath. “All right.”

“Well,” she straightened up and smiled. “Daddy put ribs in the smoker, and I made peach cobbler, so we’ll get you fed. If nothing else, your stomach will be happy.”

“I will gladly eat my feelings for a few days.”

“Good.” She chuckled, her eyes soft. “Maggie, all of this is temporary. You’ll feel better being alone, but your problems won’t go away. They’ve got a knack for sneaking in when you’re not looking to knock you on your ass. So take all the time you need, but don’t hide anymore.”

“All right.”

She searched my face. “We just want you to be whole again, baby.”

My nose burned. “Thanks, Mom.”

“You’re welcome. Want some help with your suitcase? I think I heard your dad volunteer.”

Dad snorted and made to get up.

I waved them off and slid off my stool. “Nah, I can get it. Thanks though. I’ll go get unpacked.”

They watched me leave, and I felt their worry and sadness, veiled by their warmth and humor. I climbed the stairs with my suitcase, walked into the room where I’d spent my childhood, the twin bed and posters, my vintage Barbie collection along the high shelf that ran around my room. I sat down in the bay window seat and looked out into the yard.

Up in my room, I felt safe again, as if being within those walls erased my problems, exempted me from grown-up responsibility.

I only wished it were true.

Cooper

The room was almost completely dark, and I sat in the leather chair where I’d been for … I didn’t know how long. I was unshaven, still in the clothes I’d slept in, scotch in my hand and an empty bottle on the ground next to me, my chair turned to face the print of Gambit and Rogue’s first kiss.

Their story was bittersweet. Rogue could never be with Gambit — not without killing him. Touching him would drain his life, his memories, his power. Kissing him would kill him. But he loved her all the same, even though he’d never really understood love before. He needed her. And when he thought the world was ending, he did the one thing — the only thing — he’d ever wanted to do.

He kissed her.

But the world didn’t end, though Gambit nearly died, and Rogue tortured herself. She’d learned his secrets, secrets she would rather not have known, and when they finally came back together, he asked her to enter his mind again, so she would know his truth. No more secrets. No lies. They could leave the past behind them and move on, together.

But she couldn’t do it. Wouldn’t risk him. So she left him.

They were pulled together and apart, time after time, again and again. I’d never forget when he asked her to trust him, even though she had no reason to. He said he’d make it right the second he was able. Told her that her heart meant more to him than his own.

I knew just how he felt.

She’d haunted my dreams. Lived in my thoughts all day. I wanted to call her. I needed to see her. But I’d resigned myself to wait. There was no way to reach her, and I had to believe she would come to me when she was ready.

I wondered where she was, what she was doing. Wondered if she’d been thinking about me all day, wishing things were different. It’s all I’d done since I walked away from her.

At least I had a cabinet full of scotch to help me pass the time, to help me forget.

I sighed and stood, my body stiff as I made my way into the kitchen for a scotch bottle that wasn’t empty. My hand was on the neck of the lucky bottle when the doorbell rang.

My heart stopped. Maggie. 

I set the bottle down with trembling hands, walked to the door in a haze, my neurons firing with a billion thoughts at once. What I’d say. What she’d say. How I’d feel. I could see her in my mind, angry, happy, sad, hurt.

I opened the door, and my heart fell.

West fumed in the entry, jaw set, eyes hard.

I squared my shoulders, dropped my chin. “Did your fist have more to say?”

“She’s gone, and it’s your fault.”

I blinked, shook my head, wondered if I’d heard him right. “What do you mean, she’s gone?”

“She left. She went home.” He pulled a letter out of his pocket and shoved it into my chest.

I took it and unfurled it, feeling her presence in the curve of the letters as West brushed past me and into the room.

I’m so sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused. If I had stayed home where I belong, no one would have gotten hurt. I’ve been selfish at all of your expense.

I’m going back to Jackson to sort myself out. Lily, I’m sorry that I asked you to keep my secret from West. West, I’m sorry we lied to you. And Cooper, I’m just sorry.

I just hope you’ll all forgive me.

—Maggie

“Fuck.” I ran a hand through my hair as I stared at the letter. “How … have you talked to her?”

“I called my dad as soon as Lily showed me the letter. They found her bag at the shelter, and she picked it up and went straight to the airport.”

I walked to the bar and dropped into a seat, my eyes still on her words.

“What did you do to her, Cooper?”

“I just wanted to be with her.”

“Bullshit. She didn’t leave town because you care about her.”

The look I gave him must have gotten to him because he shifted, looking uncertain.

“Then why?”

I shook my head, not knowing where to even start. “Jimmy.” I ran a hand over my mouth. “He sent her that fucking box and knocked her out of orbit. She asked me for time to sort through it, but she came here yesterday and needed me, then turned around and treated me like a mistake. I couldn’t fucking do it anymore, West. I couldn’t go on having her one minute and losing her the next. This isn’t some one night stand. This isn’t a fling. I love her.”

He eyed me. “Do you mean that?”

I didn’t answer, just met his eyes and breathed.

“How the fuck is this possible?” West rubbed his forehead. “How the fuck are you telling me right now that you’re actually in love with my sister? When did this happen?”

“It’s been happening for weeks. Since before that, even.”

His eyes narrowed. “Since when?”

I took a deep breath and told him. “Since her wedding night.”