Can’t Win Me Back

Xavier was confused.

He caught the tie bar in his hands and asked, " What's this, Mr. Beckett?" Jasper closed his eyes to rest.

He tugged at his tie knot but still felt suffocated.

"It was from Sheryl,"' he answered.

Xavier let out a cry.

"This filthy thing is from that wild woman? I don't want it!" With a disgusted look on his face, Xavier hurled the tie bar aside.

" I'm already seeing someone.

I don't want my girlfriend to misunderstand me." "Girlfriend?" "Yeah, Mr. Beckett.

Maggie is my girlfriend." With his eyes closed, Jasper frowned.

"She's become of age?" Xavier didn't know how he should react.

"She's already in university, Mr. Beckett.

Am I that much of an animal in your eyes?" Suddenly, the memory of himself and Alyssa rescuing Maggie flashed through Jasper's mind.

Just then, Xavier exclaimed in surprise, "Mr. Beckett, look!" Jasper opened his eyes slowly, and his heart jolted.

Standing alone before his car was Alyssa, framed against the piercing headlights, snow swirling around her.

she looked almost fragile as

hesitation, Jasper stepped out of the car and approached

Beckett." Alyssa smiled

the cold, he could tell that she

opened his mouth to speak but could not make a

could taste was a slight bitterness

remembered that she was someone

use his hands as her source of heat; his hands kept her warm regardless of the time of

didn't hope to hear any

she didn't mind

do you have time for achat?" Jasper pursed his

in my car."

was

her way of speech

sensible demeanor

to spend time together by getting out of the car to wait for

spoke up first to break

Jasper looked askance

He gulped silently.

say that he didn't need

remember what you promised

answered in a low,

it's time for you to fulfill

want you to go on a hike with me tomorrow at 3:00 p.m." Jasper was

and asked, "A hike? Where?"