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“I know him better than you—”
“Well, you don’t know him the wayIknow him.”
Silence passed. He massaged his knuckles. “Were you in love with him or something?”
“No.”
“Was that where it was headed?”
“I don’t have to answer your questions. It was fucked up that you interfered and got me stuck with Cauldron again. After everything he put me through, how could you want me with him again? You know better than anyone how much he hurt me.”
He said nothing.
“Just because he’s your brother? That’s a terrible reason to push me on him.”
“I never said I wanted you back with him. In fact, he asked me to convince you to give him another chance, and I said no.”
Now I was the one who turned silent.
“I said no because he’s fucked up too many times, and I’m not convinced that he’s really changed. Just wants what he can’t have.”
“That’s what you think?”
He gave a shrug. “I’m not sure. But you’ve been his guinea pig long enough.”
My eyes dropped momentarily, unexpectedly hurt by his confession.
“But that didn’t stop him from pursuing you, so maybe I’m wrong.”
I looked at him again.
“You want me to be wrong.” It was somewhat of a question, somewhat of a realization.
“I guess…but I know you aren’t.”
* * *
A knock sounded on my door.
I was in the kitchen cooking dinner, making a salad with grilled chicken and French dressing. I turned off the stove then walked to the peephole, my heart giving a jolt of adrenaline when I recognized Cauldron’s face on the other side. “Bastard…”
“I heard that.”
I unlocked the door and opened it. “Good.”
He was dressed casually tonight, like he had no plans to whisk me away to a fancy restaurant that wouldn’t impress me. He was in a long-sleeved shirt and dark jeans with boots, the cold air escaping his nostrils as icy vapor.
“What?”
“I’d like to come in.”
“I don’t remember inviting you.”
“I don’t have to be invited.”
I thought my iciness the other night would have driven him away, but it had only bought me a small amount of time.
“I paid for that luxury.”
