Dad frownedpart confusion, part irritationand the concern lines on his forehead deepened. Mom's expression seemed more like Xavier had clocked her upside the head with a blunt object. She stood stock still, completely motionless.

"Uh, as in, we're dating," he hedged.

Not a sound. Not even a cricket.

Peyton, head down, exuded the quietest ragged exhale in existence. "I told you," she whispered, setting her wounded gaze on him. Pressing a delicate hand to her ...