Chapter 24
Iyanked on my clothes as well. Leo raised a brow at me when he realized I planned on joining them.
“You can stay,” Leo said. “He only asked for me.”
“No, I want to go too.” I opened my door. “Have to face him sooner or later, right?”
Leo nodded, looking impressed. “Right.”
Nate hadn’t been expecting me but he didn’t look shocked when I walked into his room with Leo trailing in behind me. My brother leaned against his desk with his arms crossed over his chest. Leo and I stood in front of him like we were waiting for sentencing.
“Did you two really think you were fooling people?” Nate started with an annoyed look on his face. “Or did you just think you were fooling me?”
“Look, we weren’t trying to fool anyone. We planned on coming to you,” Leo said in a steady voice.
“Good, because between the looks and sneaking off, you both suck ass at pretending.” Nate shook his head. “What really annoys me, Leo, is that you told me you weren’t going to do this. When I told you about how I felt, you said you’d leave her alone. We agreed that was for the best.”
“Please, don’t talk about me like I’m not standing here, Nate.” I mirrored his stance. Even though my heart hammered in my chest, I felt brave enough to face him and ignore the look of disappointment on his face.
Leo sighed. “We were kids when I said that.”
“Oh, yeah? What about at the beginning of summer, huh? You were a kid then too? Because I asked you again, and you told me Kira was no one to you.”
I raised a brow and glanced at Leo for his response. When he hesitated, Nate took advantage of the silence to dig even more.
“I know the side of you that likes to give up.” Nate stepped closer to us. “I’ve seen that side for a whole year.”
“That isn’t fair.” Leo’s jaw tightened. “You throwing my mistake in my face is getting old real quick. Don’t act like you’re the only one who can throw mistakes around, Nate.”
“Nothing’s fair. I know you might not be used to that, considering you just got a pat on your head for coming clean with coach. But you need to learn that sooner or later. You’re not doing this with my sister.”
“Nate,” I warned. “I’m. Right. Here.”
“Fine.” My brother finally looked at me. “Kira, you’re telling me you want to date someone who calls you ‘no one’ behind your back? After everything you’ve been through with Mom and Dad. Me. You’re not no one.”
“I know that,” I promised, voice as stern and steady as his. “I don’t need either of you to confirm it for me.”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Leo insisted, focusing his attention on me. “I said it at the block party because I was upset by our conversation. Doesn’t excuse it but…shit, I wanted to vent. Nate, you know how it is. Don’t pretend like you don’t understand. Think about Claire.”
Nate’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t try to derail this by bringing my shit into this. This conversation is about you hurting my sister and expecting me to stand by and watch. If this doesn’t end in a good place, we won’t either. You really want to risk that?”
“I’m not going to hurt her,” Leo promised without pause. “I think you know that much deep down. Honestly, I think what you’re actually afraid of is her not needing you as much.”
Nate scoffed. “Wow…you’re good at this deflecting stuff. Way better than the sneaking around, I’ll give you that.”
“You know I’m right.” Leo stared at Nate, waiting for protest. Nate glared right back, more annoyed than I’d seen him in years. My brother moved closer to Leo, ready for the challenge. Leo refused to back down.
“Nate,” I stepped in between them, breaking the cold silence. “We should have told you sooner. Part of it was because we were still figuring things out for ourselves. Another part — for me anyway — was knowing you’d disapprove so much that you’d try to make me feel guilty. I don’t need your permission for this. And honestly, I don’t even want your opinion right now. Not when you’re acting so inconsiderate.”
“Inconsiderate?” Nate laughed without humor. “I’ve watched you break and hurt yourself—”
“I’m better. Don’t pretend like you don’t see that,” I interrupted. “Don’t pretend like you know what’s best for me.”
“Leo’s best for you, now?” Nate shook his head in disbelief. “Has he told you the doping story yet or is he saving that amongst his other thin excuses?”
“Yeah, I know about it,” I confirmed.
“You sound fine with it and you shouldn’t be,” he said, frustration in every word.
