Haley’s gaze flickered, unreadable. Her expression seemed distant, lost in thought until Justin spoke again.
“Don’t overthink it. And don’t assume I still have feelings for her. From now on, she is her, and I am me.”
Justin turned to face her directly.
“I always thought the feelings I had at seventeen would stay with me for life. But don’t think I’m some heartless jerk who just moved on so easily. After meeting you—after those three years with you—something in me changed.
“I barely thought about her anymore. I had almost forgotten her, accepted her ‘death.’ Running into her again on the streets of Merika caught me off guard. But even then, I still didn’t want to let you go.
“At first, when she came back, I tried. I told myself I had to end things with you. I forced myself to. But I couldn’t do it.
“When I saw Sean by your side, I wanted to get rid of him. I wanted to keep you close, lock you by my side. Just me. No one else.”
Justin suddenly paused, realizing what he had just ad
