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Jace accepts his hand, his throat bobbing as he says, “Thanks, man, and I’m sorry, too. I should’ve told you.”
Teagan shakes his head. “You’re like a brother to me, and I know that if I can trust anyone with her, it’s you. Hell, that’s why I asked you to watch out for her. I hope we’re still cool.”
A soft smile curls the corners of Jace’s lips. “We’re cool. I probably would’ve done the same in your shoes.”
A dozen other people rise to their feet and approach us, all of them asking us about our relationship, when we started dating, and how.
I guess when you barely date through all of high school, then leave for college only to return two months later to a guy publicly professing his love for you, it leads to a lot of curiosity. I’m about to hit my limit when Jace’s gaze finds mine above the crowd and he nods toward the house, mouthing, “Let’s talk.”
I extricate myself from the conversations around me as politely as I can, then quietly slip into the house beside Jace.
JACE
I try not to rush Brynn as she closes the door behind me, but it’s taking all my restraint not to blurt out the question on my mind, the one thing running circles through all of my thoughts.
Was it Knox?
Instead, I enter her room and cross the floor, my muscles as restless as my thoughts while I pace in front of her bed.
Brynn said she loves me.
My heart swells at the memory.
She fucking loves me, and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.
“Jace, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Okay,” I drawl, ceasing my pacing and shoving my hands in my pockets to hide my clenched fists.
“When I broke up with you, it wasn’t because I thought you were putting your friends first and me last. Not really. I was scared. I pushed you away because . . .”
Here we go.
My heart pounds like a drum. “Because . . .?”
Her throat bobs, and my gaze homes in on the delicate skin at her throat. The insatiable desire to kill anyone who hurts her floods my veins.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
My gaze flickers back to hers. “Try me.”
Her mouth flattens, and I can see the storm of indecision in her eyes; I can tell it’s weighing on her by the dark moons beneath them and the pinched set of her brow. Holding onto this secret is killing her.
Moving closer, I take her hands in mine and dip my head so we’re eye level. “Did you mean it when you said you loved me, Cupcake? Because I meant it.” When she nods, I add, “Then trust me. Trustus. Whatever it is, you can tell me.”
I could ask her right now. I could outright tell her my suspicions and all she would have to do is confirm them, but Ineedher to take this leap of faith. I need her to trust that I’ll cradle her heart in my hands and protect it.
“I didn’t know until the other night, when you were in my room and we were talking about the bonfire and how poorly it all went. You helped me with my suitcase and the little wooden jewelry box fell . . .” Her words trail off, but I nod for her to continue. “The bracelet, you said it was Knox’s and asked why I had it . . .”
I close my eyes, waiting for the blow I know is coming.
“It was Knox, Jace.” Her voice trips over the words, trembling like a leaf in the wind, fragile and lost. “The cuff caught on the strap of my dress when I was fighting him off that night. I never knew whose it was until now.”
A soft moan escapes the back of my throat; my worst fears confirmed.
I want to run outside and see the fear in his eyes as I approach. Rip his throat out with my bare hands. Bloody his face with my fists.
How could he do this?
