AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, that’s not true,” he says, shaking his head, his tone frantic. “And it’s not like that.”
“But it is.”
He stares at me for a moment, both of us locked into position, unyielding and unwilling to bend.
“Then tell him,” I say, my voice thick. “Tell Teagan about us right now when he gets back from his run.” I wave my arm toward the door. “If I’m number one, and it’s not like that, then you’ll tell him, consequences be damned.”
“It’s not that simple,” he says, his gaze wild.
“It is, actually.” I stand, allowing righteous anger to fill my veins because it’s the only way to get through this, the only way to push him away.
Jace rises and takes a step toward me, grabbing my arm and pleading. “Please,” he says with a slight tremble to his voice. “All I’m asking is for a little time for all our sakes. It’s not about being ashamed or afraid of commitment or putting you first.”
“It’s over.”
“It’s not.” He shakes his head, then says, “Fine. If that’s what you need, I’ll tell him right now.”
“And what happens if you’re right and he severs your friendship? Then you’ll resent me? No.” I make a slashing motion with my arms. “Either way, we’re screwed. You’ll wind up hating me in the end.”
Jace blanches. “What do you want me to say?”
When I don’t answer, he rakes his hands through his hair, bracing his hands on his head. “So, in one breath, you want me to tell everyone about us and stop hiding, but in the next, you’re telling tell me it won’t matter anyway. Basically, I’m fucked and you just don’t want to be with me.”
I say nothing, clenching my jaw so hard, my teeth ache. It’s better to take the blame, to let him think I’m done. When I say nothing, he fists his hands out in front of him.
“We were good until that stupid fucking party. I knew this would happen. I knew in the end, you’d decide I’m not what you want.”
“It’s not the party,” I say, hating how personal he’s taking this. But what did I expect? Breakups are always personal. They always hurt.
“Oh, yeah, then what is it? Enlighten me.”
I stare at him a beat, feeling my resolve weaken, knowing I can’t let it. “I guess I just want . . .” I swallow, hating the hope I see glittering in his eyes. “I want a guy whose so proud to be with me, he doesn’t care who knows it. A man who won’t allow other women to flirt and hang on him even for a second because he can’t stand the touch of someone else, and because he knows it would hurt me. I want a man who doesn’t need his best friend’s permission to date me.”
I know my words cut deep when he sucks in a breath, looking as though he’s been sucker punched. My words feel heavy on my tongue, knowing it was both of our choice to keep ourrelationship a secret from Teagan. I’m every bit as culpable, but still, Ineedto push him away.
He stumbles forward, his voice wobbling as he says, “Don’t do this, Brynn. Don’t give up on us. Maybe I screwed up, okay? But all you had to do was tell me how you were feeling. You have no idea how much I care about you. How much—”
“What. The. Actual. Fuck.”
I whip around to the sound of the gravelly voice behind us and suck in a breath. “Teagan . . .” I start, but he doesn’t so much as look in my direction. Instead, he’s laser focused on Jace, who is as white as the walls behind him.
Raising his hands, Jace takes a step forward, as if he can placate Teagan like a wild dog, with slow movements and a soft tone. “Teagan, I can explain.”
“You fuck her?”
“Teagan!” My stomach clenches as I turn to my brother and place a hand on his arm, but he shrugs me off.
“Answer the question,” he snaps.
“That’s none of you—”
“Yes,” Jace says, his tone hard.
I turn my gaze to him, mouth agape as I watch him straighten. He squares his shoulders and resolve hardens the blue of his eyes.
“You son of a bitch.” Teagan charges toward him, yanking him by the collar of his shirt, and I yell for him to stop.
Jace says nothing; he doesn’t even put up a fight as Teagan shoves him back while my useless cries bounce off the walls. “Teagan, you’re better than this,” I say, grappling at his arms, hoping to diffuse the situation. Teagan’s not a violent person. Nor is he confrontational, but I’ve never seen him so angry.
