They both freeze. Tigerlily’s smile dies.
“Jax—” Zephyr starts.
“No.” My voice is cold, but my heart feels anything but frozen. It’s on fucking fire. “You know what? Do whatever the fuck you want. All of you. I’m done.”
I turn to leave, but Tigerlily’s voice stops me.
“What does that mean?”
I look back. She’s slid off the counter, Zephyr’s hand still on her waist.
I snap, “It means I can’t watch this anymore. It means you made your choice and I’m making mine.”
“You’re choosing to walk away?” Her voice is small.
“I’m choosing my sanity.” I meet her eyes. “And my self-respect.”
Callum appears in the doorway and takes in the scene. “What’s going on?”
“Jax is leaving,” Tigerlily says, and her voice breaks on my name.
“The hell he is.” Callum moves into the kitchen. “Jax, man, come on—”
“Don’t.” I hold up a hand. “Just... don’t.”
I walk out, make it to my room, and start throwing things into a bag.
I’m almost finished when she appears in the doorway.
“Where are you going?”
“My mom’s place. Anywhere but here. I need some distance.”
“For how long?”
“I don’t know.”
She moves into the room, and I can smell her—vanilla and something floral—and it makes my hands shake as I zip the bag.
“Jax, please.” Her voice cracks. “Don’t do this.”
“You did this.” The words come out flat. “You made your choice.”
“I chose you!”
“No.” I finally look at her. Really look at her. Take in her tear-stained face, her trembling hands, the way she’s holding herself together by threads. “You chose them too. And I can’t—I can’t be one of many, Tigerlily. I can’t watch you with them and pretend it doesn’t gut me every single time.”
“Then what am I supposed to do?” She’s sobbing now. “Just turn it off like a switch?”
“Yes.” The word is brutal. Honest. “That’s exactly what I’m asking.”
“I can’t.”
“I know.” I pick up my bag. “That’s why I’m leaving.”
I move past her, shoulder brushing hers, and the contact burns.
“Jax.” My name is a plea.
