AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We made a mistake once, and they forgave us.”
“What happened with us is nothing like what Harrison did. You and Brady weren’t together. We had actual feelings for each other.”
I storm toward the back door, my fists twitching and my vision blurring with rage.
“Tug, it’s none of our business,” Tori shouts from behind me.
Harrison’s eyes flash with fear as I rip him from the chair by his shirt. Liv screams at me to let him go, but the anger shooting through me blocks her out. I shove him toward the door. “Get out of here, and stay the fuck away from Liv.”
“I want him here!” Liv protests, her voice small.
Harrison holds his hands up. “I love her, man. I’ve been miserable without her.”
“Do you think I give a shit what you’ve
been through? What about her? Do you know how much she cried and how she blames herself?” I spin around and face Liv. “Don’t believe him. He’ll do it again.”
“Go away, Tug. I don’t need you to protect me.”
Her words slice through me, making me angrier. This asshole breaks her heart and now she’s turning on her family. “You damn sure do!”
I watch her face twist, and suddenly I’m the dick in this situation. Fucking Harrison — a flash of his dimples, and Liv falls apart.
“Harrison, would you go up to my room and wait for me?” Liv says so sweetly that I want to shake her and make her realize what a mistake she’s making.
He bows his head and leaves.
My entire body vibrates as anger floods my veins. “How can you take him back?”
Tears spill from her eyes. “I love him.”
I run both my hands over the top of my head and squeeze the back of my neck. Her words are painful to hear, but I know what it’s like to feel so strongly for someone you’d forgive any wrongdoing.
“I’ll never be able to trust him,” I say, knowing it isn’t what she wants to hear.
“I know. It’s going to take me a long time as well, and he knows that.”
“So, what, is he moving back in here?” Her gaze shifts to the floor. “What?”
“No, he’s not. Tori doesn’t think it’s a good idea for Drew to get attached to him again until he’s proven himself.”
“She’s right,” I say, still bitter.
Liv nods with a nervous smile. “She is. That’s why I’m moving in with him. He has an apartment in Pacific Beach.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Her arms wrap around my waist, and she squeezes me tightly enough to knock the breath out of me. She lets go, and the smile on her face is the brightest I’ve seen in months.
“I love you so much, Tuggy. You’re an amazing brother, and I love that you look out for me, but I think it’s the best idea I’ve had in a long while. My friends are all there. It’s time I get back to having a life. After Mom, I shut myself off from everyone, grew up too fast, and turned into a robot. Harrison made a horrible mistake, but I can’t deny I’d been pushing him that direction for a while.”
“What if he hurts you again?”
“What if he does? It’s a risk I want to take. How many twenty-somethings get their hearts broken, and yet they all survive.”
“I still want to pound him,” I admit, my anger softening slightly.
“I know you do, but don’t — for me, please.”
