Page 27 of Fade (Fighting Fate)

He shook his head, but it wasn’t with anger. “You know your parents will never accept him. He’s a marine.”

I sighed. “Yeah, I know, but you know what? I’m okay with that too.”

“You could have everything with me, Amy. A comfortable future, a loving husband, your parents . . . ”

I shook my head. “But I wouldn’t be me.”

He stared at me for a long while, taking in what I’d said. I didn’t think I’d entirely convinced him, but I hoped it was enough for him to accept for now.

“Okay,” he said. “But just so you know, I’ll always be here for you. And if you change your mind . . . ”

I breathed out a laugh, but chose to remain quiet.

“All right, let’s get back to the party,” Ryan said, starting the car and turning it around.

“Oh, don’t we have to get Corey some cola?”

“Nah, fuck him. I’m not in the mood.”

The second we pulled up at Amber’s house, my stomach dropped. “Shit.”

Ryan’s eyebrows rose. “What?”

“Daniel’s gone.”

Ryan looked around the parked cars and blew out a heavy breath. “I’ll drop you at my house.”

I didn’t argue with him. I needed to see Daniel. Like, now. Worry was already churning my gut. Why did he leave? Did he seriously think I’d just leave with Ryan, just like that?

“He’ll be fine, Amy. Stop worrying.”

I nodded, but didn’t say anything. After another minute, Ryan muttered under his breath, so I gave him a questioning look.

“I can’t believe I’m giving you reassurance about dating my brother. It sucks big time.”

r /> “I’m sorry,” I said quietly, because I really was.

When Ryan turned onto his street and I saw their mom’s car in the drive, I was hit by a sudden case of nerves. I fidgeted while he pulled the car into the drive, and again while he unlocked the door for me.

“I’ll leave you to it, then,” he said, turning back for his car.

I was going to ask him where he was going, but then again, I didn’t really care. Closing the door behind me, I quietly made my way upstairs and knocked on Daniel’s door.

I knew he was still up because I could see the dim light of his lamp shining under the door, so I cracked it open and peered inside. “Daniel?”

He was lying in the middle of his bed with his hands behind his head as he watched me. He was only wearing boxers, but I was too concerned about what was going on to even care.

“Hey,” he said.

I frowned. He didn’t seem mad, or even disappointed. He just seemed . . . sad.

“I’m really sorry, Daniel,” I said, coming closer. The way his eyes grew even sadder made my heart ache. “Ryan said he wanted to talk to me, and I didn’t know if he’d make a scene, so I thought it was best if I went outside. Then he needed to go to the store for Corey, so I just went with him so he could talk and it would be over . . . ”

Daniel shook his head. “It’s okay. You don’t have to explain. Ryan told me this afternoon.”

I paused. Ryan already told him? That he wanted me back?

“Oh, okay.”

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