My face flushes with heat, and anger flashes through me.
“He was pining over you. It was oh so sweet. Only you didn't notice.”
“So, what? You decided to beat him to it?” I ask.
Billy smirks. “Yes.”
That one word is like a gut punch to the stomach. The air whooshes out of my lungs, leaving me lightheaded. Tears sting my eyes.
“He should have fought for you,” Billy carries on, either oblivious to my distress or not caring. “It should have been a competition: meversus him. But he made it too easy, so I won. It’s a shame you turned out to be the booby prize,” he sneers.
Jimmy balls his hand into a fist and raises his arm, like he’s got every intention of punching Billy in the face. His arm shakes. “Stop.”
“Don’t you think Flynn deserves the truth? Or are you scared he won’t want you anymore if he does? You didn’t want him enough to fight for him. You only want him now because it’s easy. And maybe to get back at me.” Billy turns his steely stare on me again. “He doesn’t want you. He’s just living out his teen crush. He’ll get bored.”
“Like you did?” I whisper.
Billy flicks his gaze up and down me. “Anyone would.”
I bite my lip to stop myself from sobbing out loud.
“Why you—” Jimmy draws his arm back.
I move faster, tackle him, and catch hold of his arm. “Don’t. He’s not worth it. He wasneverworth it.” I don’t let go until Jimmy lowers his arm.
I square up to Billy. “You like hurting people, don’t you? You don’t care who you stamp on as long as it makes you feel good, and big, and important. Well, you’re not. You’re nothing but a bully. A controlling, vindictive bully. Why didn't I see it early? Why did I waste four years of my life on you?” Tears flow down my cheeks.
“You didn’t waste four years,” Billy hisses. “I did. At least you got good sex out of it. I got nothing.”
“Except hurting your brother,” I retort. I look at Jimmy. “I’m sorry, I need to go.”
“Don’t be sorry, baby. Besides, you don’t need to go anywhere. Billy’s leaving.”
“No, I’m not.”
“You are if you don’t want a broken nose.”
Billy tuts. “What would Mum and Dad say if they knew you were threatening me?”
“Honestly? I don’t care. I want you out of my house.”
“Do they know about the two of you? They won’t be happy.”
Any bravado I was feeling vanishes, leaving me deflated.
“All that matters is thatwe’rehappy.” Jimmy’s voice is trembling. Is there a tremor of doubt beneath his bold words? “Now get out.”
“And go where?”
“Back to your hotel?”
“How?”
“Call a taxi.”
“Why should I pay when you’re throwing me out?” Billy whines.
“Because you walked in here and decided to hurt us,” Jimmy replies calmly. “So, yeah, I’m throwing you out. And yeah, where you go and how you get there is your problem. And don’t even think about showing up to the meal tomorrow night. You’re not welcome.”Jimmy strides to the front door and opens it. “Nowleave.”
