AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, it’s fine,” he says.
Patting his shoulder, I give him a smile. “Let me know how it goes.”
Jordy walks out, leaving me alone. Whatever Bass is going through we need to figure it out before it's too late, because knowing Bass he’s already in too deep.
Tensions arehigh between the boys, and I feel partially responsible. Cautiously, I approach Bass’ room and knock softly.
“Bass.” My voice is soft while I wait for his reply.
A deep, audible sigh leaves him as I slowly open his door. He sits on his bed hunched over, lifting his head his jaw works back and forth as he watches me. I lower myself across from him and stretch my legs out in front of me. Bass finds my fingers and twists his through mine before his gaze drops to our hands.
We sit in silence for a few moments. His gaze shifts from mine as he mutters, “I’m tired of lying about who I am.”
Knowing Bass obviously has something on his mind but unsure if he’s ready to share, I rub my hand over his thigh. “Does it have something to do with how angry at King you are?” Slowly he nods.
This time Bass pushes his hair back from his face, revealing a grim smirk.
“I’m fucked up, and I can’t even admit to myself who I am.”
Rubbing his hands over his face, Bass shrugs. “The stupid thing is, I’m not the only one lying about who they truly are.” Unsure what he means by this, I move between his thighs, spreading them apart to allow for my body.
“I’d rather you be who you are than hide a part of yourself, Bass,” I tell him, my fingers scrapping over his jaw, his eyes closing at my touch.
A bit of a smile twitches to his lips. “Maybe you’ll think differently about me, Nova.” He huffs out a distressed, unbalanced laugh.
Honestly, I’m unsure that whatever they’re all hiding will be enough to break us or make us stronger.
I wish there was a straight path forward, but unfortunately there’s not.
These boys have always done what they wanted, adding me into the mix. It's just fuel to whatever fire seems to continue to burn between them.
King revealing that he killed his parents just to make a deal with my father is something I'm finding hard to believe. My lips twist as I think. Could my father have forced King to do as he pleased? What else is King hiding?
“Nova?” Bass’ voice breaks through my haze.
“I don't want to lose you.” Swallowing, he watches me as I stare into his dark eyes that hold just as much pain as mine. The anguish is clear. But again, he forces it down. Bass is fighting against himself. It’s a fight he’ll never win.
Running his hand over his jaw, he tears himself from me, both his body and his gaze, and walks purposefully out of his room. With each step he takes the stairs creak until a door slams downstairs.
Moving off his bed, I leave knowing he just needs time. Running into King just outside his door, he smiles down at me, his fingers caressing against my cheek until he pulls me into him.
“I’m sorry,” he says, clenching his teeth.
“I just want things between you to be okay,” I tell him honestly. Hooking an arm around his neck, King rests his forehead on mine. He consumes me wholly, his scent envelopes me. King holds me against his body.
I don't want to come between them, and right now, that's how I feel, because of my father they’re hurting, and I feel responsible.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, brushing my fingers across his jawline. King grabs my hand kissing the inside of my palm.
“We’ll be okay, princess. I promise.” I nod, not admitting I think Bass is really hurting and a part of me is worried he’ll do something stupid.
Closing my eyes briefly, when I open them King stares down intently at me.
“Were your parents bad people?” I ask him. He frowns, then presses his lips together.
“Yes, princess, they were terrible people. Ending them was the right decision, even if it’s currently causing a rift between my brothers and me.”
“Bass is angry?” King shakes his head, his eyes shifting to look at me then toward Bass’ door.
