Page 62 of Beautiful Scars

My fingers linger over the number. I don’t respond, but something in me softens, just a little.

“If you want to talk,” he adds, his voice low, “or if you need anything—anything at all—just call.”

I nod slowly, managing a small smile.

“Thank you,” I mutter.

He gives me one last, reassuring look and heads to the door. “Get some rest, Sunny. Take care of yourself."

Once he reaches the door, he turns and gives me an intense, serious look. "I hope you realize that you're stronger than you think you are."

And then, he’s gone, closing the door softly behind him. The silence that settles in his wake isn't as heavy as it has been. I stare at the slip of paper, a mix of relief and doubt twisting in my chest. Part of me still doesn’t know what to make of Zane, but somehow, tonight, even if it was just for a couple hours, things felt a little more bearable with him here with me.

For the first time in a week, when I curl up on the couch and pull the blanket down over me, sleep comes easily.

Chapter Thirty

Sunny

Istareatmyphone, biting my lip, my finger hovering over Zane’s number. I don’t remember putting it in my phone and saving it, but here it is, and here I am. I've been sitting in this exact position for close to half an hour trying to work up the nerve to press the button.

It’s been three days since he was here, and I haven’t stopped thinking about him—or, Levi. Every time I close my eyes, I see Levi’s face, hear him say my name. The raw emotion it brings rattles around in my mind, refusing to settle.

But this isn’t about that or them. I need to start getting my life back.

I take a deep breath and tap the screen, pressing the phone to my ear before I can talk myself out of it. The ringing feels endless, each second stretching longer than the last.

“Sunny.” His voice is warm and low, like he’s genuinely happy to hear from me, and something in my chest loosens at the sound. My fingers grip the phone harder and I swallow hard.

“Hey,” I manage, my voice barely more than a whisper. “I, um… I wanted to check. Did you guys—did Levi leave town?”

The silence stretches so long I almost hang up. Finally, Zane speaks. “Yeah, Levi's gone. Left two nights ago with Colt and a few of the guys. I stayed back with everyone else.”

Relief floods through me so fast it makes me dizzy. I exhale loudly and sink deeper into the couch, my body heavy. “Good. That’s… good.”

“Which part?" Zane’s voice has a faint edge of something I can’t quite read.

“Oh. Um, all of it. Maybe,” I admit. The honesty in my answer surprises me. “I don't know. It's been a rough week."

“Yeah," he agrees quietly. "Ithasbeen that."

My free hand finds the edge of my blanket, twisting it between my fingers. "I thought... I mean, I assumed you'd all leave together."

"No." His voice is careful, measured. "Things came up here that someone needed to stay back and handle."

"Things?" The word comes out sharper than I intend, old fears and insecurities rising to the surface.

"Business," he says, but there's something in his tone that gives me pause.

"In Oak Valley?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady. "I can't imagine there's a whole lot here to stick around for."

There's a heavy pause. "I disagree."

My heart stutters a bit at his words. "Z, I just… I didn't expect you to still be here."

"I could leave," he says quietly. "If that's what you want."

"What do you mean?"

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