"You were listening? I specifically came in here so your nosy ass would mind your own business," I snark, annoyed.
"My intrusion is the least of your worries. You're in love with him, Iz. Why can't you just admit that? Why is that so hard for you?"
I scoff.Yay for me, another man thinking he knows everything.
"You wouldn't understand." I lower my tone and look Kasten in the eyes. In my gaze, I plead for him to see the secrets I keep held so tightly. Pleading for him to understand, without having to speak the words.
"You're fucking right. I wouldn't. Jett is one of my best friends. He may be an ass sometimes, but he's a damn good guy. I've never seen him like this with anyone, not how he is with you. He not only loves you, but the dude is obsessed with you. You'reeverythingto him. Most chicks would die for that shit. But here you are, giving it all up. For what?"
I laugh humorlessly, my eyes narrowing in frustration.
Kasten's brows furrow in confusion as his eyes stay locked with mine, like he's trying to figure me out. "None of this makes sense, Izzy." "It makes complete sense to me," I lie once more through gritted teeth.
He sighs, rolling his eyes, clearly annoyed with me. "You know, you can drop the tough chick bullshit act and just talk to me like a normal human."
I turn and head for the library door, completely done with this tense and awkward conversation.
"You didn't deny that you love him," Kasten calls out quietly, yet still firm, matter-of-fact.
Shoulders slumping forward, stopping in my tracks, I instantly deflate.
With a sigh, I briefly look back over my shoulder to him, saying,“That's because I don't lie, not to you.”
Facing forward, I flip Kasten the middle finger, continue walking out of the room, and leave behind the thought of everything I pretend not to want. Everything Ican’twant.
Chapter eleven
Jett
June 2017
When the line goes dead, I know that’s it. Anger radiates through my veins like electricity, fueling me to the point of almost snapping.
I can't keep doing this to myself. Izzy admitted to sleeping with other people, and I know damn well she was full of shit. She’s trying to push me away. She gave me an out, every reason to give up. I need to take it.
For some reason, I just fucking can't.
Izzy isn't the first girl I've been with, by far. There have been plenty before her, but none that have made mefeel.
She's unapologetically herself, no matter the consequences, and although some find this annoying, I think it's beautiful. It's part of what makes herher,and although she can be infuriating at times, like now, I wouldn't change her even if I could.
Just as I begin to wallow in self-pity, my phone rings.
Kasten.
Fuck.
It could behercalling back to apologize, or it could actually be Kasten. My guess is the latter.
With hesitation, I answer. "Yeah?" I spit out angrily.
"It's me," Kasten's voice calls softly.
"Yep. I can hear that. What's up?" It comes out rushed, displaying every ounce of the annoyance, frustration, and heartbreak I’m trying to suppress.
Kasten sighs before continuing, "Just checking on you, bro."
"I'm fine," I lie through gritted teeth, clearly annoyed. Can’t he see I don’t want to talk right now?
