Page 185 of A Million To Fall

Jake’s sitting in a sage-green chair by the window. Judging by his slumped posture and the gray hue of his skin, he’s exhausted—physically and emotionally.

“What are you doing here?” I whisper back, clipped. A part of me doesn’t think Jake should get to be in this room.

He shrugs, eyes drifting back to Boston. “Same thing you are, I guess. Making sure Boss is okay.”

I just turn back to Boston, letting my eyes sweep over his face again—past the bruises and the split lip—to find the parts that are still him. It’s not lost on me that there’s not a single scratch on Jake. Boston didn’t even attempt to fight back. He just… took it.

Almost like he thought he deserved it.

Behind me, I hear Jake shift, something scraping softly against the floor. I don’t turn until he’s beside me, nudging a chair closer to the bed.

“Thanks,” I mutter, sitting.

My hand lifts instinctively, reaching for Boston. I stop myself. I don’t have a right to hold his hand. Not yet. Maybe not ever again.

Jake doesn’t say anything, just pulls his chair next to mine. Up close, I see it—the guilt. It’s in his bloodshot eyes, the way his hands won’t still in his lap and his leg bounces with nerves. It clings to him.

So thick I could choke on it.

And I’m about to make it worse.

“Did you know Boston’s apartment complex has surveillance cameras?” I start, voice wobbly with a fresh injection of adrenaline. Jake doesn’t respond, but I don’t miss the tiny groan. “I saw it,” I add.

Jake’s head snaps to me, blue eyes wide.

“I saw you. And Archer. There’s no audio, but it looks like…” My voice cracks. I turn in my seat, facing him. “Jake, why did Archer shoot Boss? Why were you even there last night? You’re Boston’s best friend. I don’t understand why you beat him.” I clutch the hem of Boston’s hoodie, twisting the fabric between my fingers. “None of this makes sense.”

He exhales hard through his nose, dragging a hand over his face. “I’m not really supposed to talk about it.”

Frustration rises like bile. “You’re not supposed to talk about Archer shooting Boss while he was on the ground. In the snow. Defenseless?” I stare at him. “Come on, Jake. I already saw the footage. I already know it wasn’t self-defense. Please, Jake. I need to know!” I say, softer now.

He turns his head slowly, like it costs him to meet my eyes. “Do you love him?”

I blink. “What?”

“Do you love Boss?” he repeats, quieter. “I know about you two. I’ve known for a while.”

Surprisingly, there’s no accusation in his face. Just sadness.

“How?” I ask.

Jake breathes a quiet laugh. “I mean, Boss has always had a thing for you. Forever. But when he came back? I saw the way he looked at you. And the way you looked at him.”

I blush so violently, my cheeks burn.

“He told me about the night he spent with you last summer. When me and Archer and Pacey were out hunting with our dads. He didn’t say anything happened between you two, but… I can read between the lines.”

Gosh, it suddenly feels too hot in here.

“I’m not judging you,” he says. “Honestly, I always thought Boss would treat you better than Arch, so…”

I nod, barely. “I broke it off. The engagement,” I say, eyes fixed on Boston. “Archer and I are over.”

Jake doesn’t ask why. He just nods, then takes a deep breath. “Promise to keep an open mind?”

I look at him.

“If I tell you what happened… you have to promise to hear me out and… you have to remember that Boss has been through some really hard shit.” His voice tightens. “Try to give him the benefit of the doubt. If I can, so can you. Because you… love him, right?”