Our situations really aren’t that different. I’m protecting my best friend at the expense of my own happiness because I’m afraid of hurting him in the long run.
A blanket of silence cloaks our table, the four of us deep in thought—or at least me and Declan are. From my peripheral, I can see Austin’s on his phone, and Jensen’s people watching.
“You don’t think it’s selfish?” Declan’s strained voice breaks through my thoughts.
I shake my head, slow and certain. “No. I don’t. In fact, I think it’s time we both go after what we want.”
He doesn’t ask me to elaborate on what I mean by that, which I appreciate. Tonight was about getting this off his chest, not about me confiding in them about my problems.
Declan nods once. “Thanks for hearing me out.”
“That’s what we’re here for,” Austin immediately cuts in, making Declan laugh.
And hell, I laugh too.
We all grow quiet again, enjoying the rest of our beers and the company. Below us, the city hums with nightlife. We have an early morning tomorrow with warm-ups, but it’s nice to enjoy the fresh air and glittering view of Rosemoor.
Tipping my glass back, I finish off the remaining sip and let the bitter taste settle on my tongue.
Declan exhales beside me like he’s finally letting go of the stress he’s been holding. Jensen’s gaze drifts back to us, and Austin pockets his phone.
A few minutes later, we stand to leave, chairs scraping across the ground, but they hardly make a sound over the laughter and conversations around us.
I glance back at the skyline once more before heading into the open elevator, ready to get to bed.
Tomorrow, we face the Rebels, andwhenwe win, I can head back to Bridge Point and earn the only victory I truly care about.
Indy’s heart.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
I’ve been antsy all day, staring at the clock like I was waiting for bedtime on Christmas Eve so Santa would come.
By the time I push through the door of Andromeda with Jensen in tow, I’ve already gone through every possible scenario, weighed every outcome, and played devil’s advocate about a million times.
Still my decision remains.
I’m choosing Indy.
How could I not? My soul calls to her—it always has.
I love Dylan; he’s my brother in every sense of the word other than blood, but the love I have for his sister outweighseverything.
All my life I’ve chased perfection—grades, athletics, my career.
And I’ve been letting the perfect woman for me sit on the sidelines all because of fear. I’m not willing to do that anymore.
I can’t loseus.
Andromeda hums with energy. It’spacked.
High-top tables are full, the bar is wall-to-wall people, bodies pressed too closely together. The place smells likebooze, an overwhelming mixture of perfumes and colognes, and surprisingly, the scent of lemon cleaner.
Immediately, my eyes settle on Indy.
She’s smiling, laughing as she pours drinks behind the bar. Her pink hair’s pulled up on top of her head, tendrils falling and framing her face.
Gorgeous. She’s absolutely, effortlessly gorgeous.
