Page 98 of Cocky Brutal Sinner

Maura

My hands tremble with excitement. Maura’s message might just be an emoji, but it’s everything to me. It’s a signal that she wants our friendship to survive this.

Then the tears come. It’s the good kind of crying, the relieved kind, the kind that loosens something in your chest that’s been wound too tight.

Eden opens my office door and looks alarmed. “You’re crying! What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I laugh. “The girls just texted me.”

“Really? I thought things were still tense after your apology convos.”

“Me too. I mean, Cat cried, and Maura told me she needed time. I was hopeful, but I thought it might take months.”

“I get it. It would be hard for me to stay mad at you, too.” Eden hugs me. I appreciate her encouragement, but I also know that what Cat, Pippa, and Maura have done is bigger than just deciding not to be mad at me. It’s a radical act of forgiveness and love.

I clear my throat and step back before I can cry enough to soak Eden’s shirt. “Did you come back here because you need something?”

“Just thought you’d like to see the new ridiculous text from my brother.”

She shows me her phone.

Wade

Saw the article. Are you safe? Is Brinley safe? Do you need us to come?

Eden

We’re fine. Toronto is a city, not a warzone.

I snort with laughter, and Eden sighs. “They’ve been like this since I was twelve. Getting worse every damn year. Imagine three of them at your door.”

I haven’t seen them in years, but if Wade, Jasper, and Reed have gotten even worse since the last time I saw them, having all three of them show up in Toronto would be nothing short of an absolute gong show.

“God, no,” I say, laughing. “Don’t provoke them. I have enough fires to put out as it is.”

35

BEAU

Sweat streams down my back as I pull on the rowing machine, my arms, back, and legs moving in harmony. Fuck, I missed the gym. I’ve been avoiding it—avoiding the whole apartment building, except when I sneak through the back entrances to Velvet & Vice or Terrace. Staying at Brinley’s is safer if I want to avoid the guys.

It’s not an argument I’m afraid of. Hell, I’d love a chance to explain myself, or even get punched in the face again if that’s what Luke needs. But if I ran into my friends and they looked past me, ignored me like I didn’t exist, I’m not sure I could handle it. I feel ready to crack under the pressure of their silent treatment as it is.

I needed to work out. I’ve chopped every vegetable and scrubbed every corner of Terrace, so I needed this outlet—the only other way I know to let out the anxiety. So I slipped Gary the reception guy a $20 to find out when Ryan, Nate, James, and Luke were all out of the building. I got the all-clear fifteen minutes ago and snuck downstairs.

It was more than worth it. Every bead of sweat leaves me feeling lighter, every stroke of the rowing machine takes a little of the weight off my shoulders. I get to disappear into the movement of my body.

Forget Peppermint.

Forget the guys.

Forget the way Brinley has been building a wall between us, even as I hold her against me in bed every night. The way she snapped at me when I told her I bought the building. The way I can feel the coldness seeping through every text she sends me.

Forget the fact that I gave up everything, and it still might not be enough for her.

For a few minutes, I’m just a body moving through space, one without a heart to break. Blood pumps through my muscles as I savor the early workout rush of energy. In half an hour, my body will be begging for a break. But for now, I’m free.

Then the gym door clicks open, and I freeze. Fuck, did Gary forget to text me when one of the guys came home? I’m not ready to face them, not ready to see their eyes go hard and⁠—