The man standing before me now feels like nothing more than a stranger.
With the simple opening of a door, so much has been taken away from me. So much will now be forever changed. My trust in him is not the only thing that instantly evaporated, but my trust in people in general. If someone you allow to hold your heart in their hands can choose to destroy it so carelessly, how can I trust anyone to get that close? I refuse to be put in my mom’s situation.
My mom…None of this is fair to her. She doesn't deserve to feel the heartache he created for her.
"She won't find out, at least not from me," I say, throat tight. I turn on my heels and walk out of the entryway to the library when my dad’s words stop me short.
"You would do that for me?"
"I'm not doing anythingfor you," I bark out with a disgusted scoff, spinning back to face him. Taking the few needed steps to close our distance, I shove at his chest. "I owe younothing!You've created this mess with your choices. I just refuse to speak the words that will break her heart. She deserves better than this. Better thanyou!”I push at him again, then glance at his face, meeting the same green eyes as mine.
I not only look like him, but I’ve prided myself on being just like him, through and through. Until today. I've always been proud of the person I am because I was the spitting image ofhim.
Never again.
Now, it’s my mission to benothinglike the man I obviously never truly knew.
Part One
Memories
Chapter one
Izzy
May 2016
The smoke from the bonfire twirls upwards, sending red sparks dancing into the breeze. It’s hypnotizing and fascinating, zoning me out to the bustling conversation around me. Unlike the chatter, the fire is dying down, leaving the sound of the lingering embers crackling over the voices that fill the night.
The warmth from its remnants still comforts my exposed skin. I can’t help but think of how similar we humans are to a piece of firewood. One second, we’re fine, and then the next, something sets us ablaze. We burn and shine the brightest we’ve ever had. For those moments, everything seems perfect, as it should.
Sure, the fire show may be pretty while it lasts, but that’s the thing: itneverlasts. Every beginning has an ending. Eventually, the flames die down, leaving us charred by their wake and forever changed. Not everything burns bright forever. Not everything is as pretty as it seems.
One year ago, I gave my trust more freely, without significant concerns. One year ago, the thought of betrayal and heartbreakfelt somewhat foreign. One year ago, everything changed, and I changed with it.
Fuck it.
Growing laughter snaps me out of my dazed thoughts. Was I really just comparing my life to a piece of wood? Not to mention, thinking about that shitstorm of a day. Damn. I shake my head slightly, attempting to clear my thoughts and listen to what’s being said.
“He fucking deserved it. He’s had it coming for a while now. He should know better than to try to get with my girl,” Ander says, matter-of-fact, pulling Via into his side. She giggles as she leans into her boyfriend’s hold and looks passionately into his eyes.
Gag. They’re so cute together that it’s almost gross.
Boyfriend and girlfriendis the biggest understatement for what Ander and Via are to each other. They grew up together and fell hard in love when hormones became a thing.Soulmatesis a better label. It’s like one can’t fucking breathe without the other.
Gag. Again.
“You know, y’all could just go and fuck already,” I blurt out, earning me a few well-deserved eye rolls.
“Not everything has to be about sex, Izzy,” Via chokes out through an embarrassed laugh.
I laugh incredulously, ignoring her as I push to stand.
“Come on, Beast,” I say to Jett, Ander’s older brother. I pat his shoulder before walking past him without waiting for him to follow. I don’t have to question it. I know he will come after me—he always does.
“Beast?” Jett spits out with a laugh as he stands and walks toward me. “Is that your new term of endearment for me, Iz?”
“Absolutely.” I look back over my shoulder, flashing him a smile. “Have you not seen the size of yourself and the beastyou’re hiding in your pants?” I shrug and then reach for his hand. “Because I have, and trust me, it’s fitting. Now let’s go make everything about sex while these two settle for cuddling.”
