Page 44 of Pretend it’s Forever

But they had embarrassed her, and I couldn’t let that slide.

“You’re a fucking asshole. You’ve told me more than once that you don’t want to settle down. That you don’t see yourself as a one-woman man. Or even someone who wants a relationship. And then you go and sleep with my sister.”

“Sophia is a grown woman and we both made a choice.”

“And you were never going to tell us?”

“Why would I tell you about what your sister and I do? It’s none of your business.”

“She’s family. Of course it’s my business.”

“You say that, and yet you’re never going to tell your family about⁠—”

Flynn’s fist slammed into my jaw. I regretted the words as soon as they were out, and I staggered back, knowing I deserved the hit.

“I’m sorry.” I held up both hands. “I won’t mention it. I’m sorry,” I reiterated.

“Don’t you ever…” Flynn’s hands shook as he took a deep breath and rolled his shoulders back. “I didn’t see what Cale was doing until it was too late.” He held up his hand before I could snap out my anger. “And I know you would never do what he did. But she’s still in a vulnerable place.”

“And she’s a woman. Who asks and gets what she wants.”

“I like you, Carson. I really do. But I don’t want my sister to get hurt.”

“And I don’t want to be the one that hurts her.”

And with that, I pushed past him and got into my car. As I drove away, I watched Flynn stand there, his hands in his pockets, looking far more defeated than even I felt.

I knew I should have never gotten close to Sophia, and I would regret part of it till the end of my days. But I would never regret touching her. Being with her.

Walking away however? This was what would break me more than ever.

My phone rang as I turned towards the highway, and I answered on Bluetooth. “Cora? Are you okay?”

“Oh, I’m fine. Just hadn’t heard your voice in a couple of days. Juliet is working, and I was craving ice cream. I thought maybe my big brother would want to come over and have a sundae with me?”

“What happened?” I asked, knowing she wouldn’t just call out of the blue and invite me over like this.

“Mom called. I answered because I’m an idiot. She didn’t say anything new, but I really want ice cream.”

“I’ll be there soon. I promise.”

“I know you will. I love you, big bro.”

And just like that, she believed in me. Because she could trust me.

But she couldn’t trust our family. No matter what she did to reach out, to try to prove to them that she was worthy of their love, they hit back, and they proved that they were nothing in comparison.

And that was why I would never settle down. I would never give in as Cora had with Juliet. Those two were luckier than most.

Love and family would break you. I had my sister, and I would protect her to the end of the earth. Just like Flynn and James were doing with Sophia.

They were doing the right thing by protecting her. And if I made a move towards Sophia again, or gave in to the temptation burning within, I knew it would only break us. Because one of us would disappoint the other, and then it would be all for naught.

No, this was better. A single taste, a single touch. And now I was walking away. But why did it feel like I was making another mistake? One that would possibly break both of us in the end?

Chapter Nine

SOPHIA