Page 170 of Dissolving Prejudice

His words formed a lump in my throat, and I quickly pulled back. To say Jordan and my past was problematic would be an understatement. We had both done unforgivable things to one another, and yet, in the end, we’d joined forces and somehow managed to save not only ourselves but also Camilo.

“I know that you thought this Oro was your friend… anyway, I’m sorry you had to watch him die,” I muttered quietly, my head bowed down.

“You’re sorry?” Jordan snorted. “That piece of shit deserved it.”

Surprised, I looked up to meet his kind eyes. Somehow, I thought that after everything we went through, Jordan would be more… traumatized.

“So, you’re okay after what happened?” I scowled, careful with my words.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “More than fine, actually. It sort of helped me figure out what I want to do next in my life.”

Taken by a pleasant surprise, my brows shot up, and I crossed my arms. “Seriously?”

“Yeah. I think I’m gonna start my own private security company.”

Impressed, I fist-bumped his chest. “That’s great, Jordy. If you need any money—”

“I’m good, don’t worry.” He smiled, a faint blush on his cheeks.

It was good to know. A thought then occurred to me.

“You also don’t need to worry about anyone finding out what we did. I handled it.” We had broken a few laws together, but with Oro gone and with the deal I made with Dion, we were safe.

“That’s good to hear.” He smiled nervously, his stare dropping to the floor. “Listen, Shay-Lee… I know you didn’t want to hear my apology before, but I just want you to know that I’m genuinely sorry for everything. I know words won’t take back what I did to you and Diesel, but please know that I’ll forever regret it.”

And while he had done awful things to us, after the way he helped me, I couldn’t stay mad. Jordan and I might not stay friends, and I doubted I’d ever contact him after today, but—

“Don’t be. Just leave the past behind and move on with your life, Jordan. That’s what I plan on doing.”

His forehead furrowed. “Do you mean it?”

“We all had our own bad inceptions. It’s better to accept it and just… move on.” I patted his shoulder. “Besides, we’re only twenty-three. Living the rest of our life full of regrets kinda sucks, doesn’t it?”

His full lips curved up, and he laughed, his ocean eyes looking as bright as they were before all this crap started.

“I guess you’re right.” He rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes glancing around before settling on me. “Safe to say, we’re not going to stay friends, right?”

I pressed my lips together into an apologetic smile and shook my head. “I don’t think so. No.”

He shrugged. “Well, I’m fine with it.”

“You are?”

He nodded. “Yeah. It’s for the best.”

Silence broke between us until Jordan pointed over his shoulder at Camilo’s room. “I think he’s waiting for you.”

I smiled at him, and that was it. Not saying another word, Jordan tucked his hands into his pockets and began walking away. I watched him go, glad that this was how our story ended. But with this chapter coming to a close, it was time to start a new one, and nervous, I looked at Camilo’s room.

My pulse kicked into overdrive, and my muscles turned rigid the closer I stepped to the door. Now I’m scared? I groaned, thinking how pathetic I was just as I reached for the handle. Taking one last breath, I exhaled slowly and opened the door. To my surprise, Camilo’s room was packed with, well, everyone, and as soon I entered it, all eyes were on me. Camilo’s included. The love in his dark irises suddenly filled me with shame and regret, and I bowed my head. My skin turned hotter, my nape nearly burning up while I scanned the tiles on the floor as if I’d dropped a diamond. I heard the room emptying as others got out until Soren spoke. He asked me a few questions, and I tried avoiding his stare until he, too, left.

“Hey,” Camilo said, and fuck, I missed his voice so much it hurt.

Tears clogged my throat, and I struggled to utter a weak hey in return.

“Where were you?”

“My old house burned down, so I had a few things to handle.” I muttered the lame excuse and walked toward the desk, where the others had left gifts for Camilo. From the second I entered the room, my heart was racing, as if I was running a fucking marathon.