I love you, too.
At ten, I made a vow to Jayden.I’d lost my father, was vulnerable, and didn’t really understand what I was promising.Today we are grown men.It’s time to have a tough discussion.
However, I need to take a step back.Jayden doesn’t know how I’ve always felt about his sister.How it’s unfolded day by day, month by month, year by year over a lifetime.
Or he might.
I shot out of my room when I found her gone, after my shower, and the two of us ran around the house in fucking towels calling her name.
When it was clear Jessie was gone, I barked out.“Get dressed.She’s taken off.We need to talk and sort this out.She won’t come back until we do.”
“For fuck's sake.Couldn’t you keep your dick out of my sister for one goddamn week?”
That’s what he thinks this is.
Me fucking his sister because she was staying in our house.As if I’m that guy who fucks any woman walking.Which is bullshit, as he knows that’s not at all who I am.
“I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that and remember the part about Jessie being raped.”
“I wasn’t implying—” He tightened his towel around his waist.
“No.But she still was, and she’s out there freaking out.Get fucking dressed.”I slammed my door.
Now here we are, staring at one another like enemies after getting off the phone with her.
“Where is she?”Jayden asks.
“I don’t know.”
Yet.
“You’re having her phone traced, right?”Jayden frowns.
“No.”
I watch the creases around his eyes deepen and hand tighten on the arm of the sofa.
“The fuck, Liam?”
“Calm down.She’s heading to the station at some point.Ryder is sitting outside waiting for her while listening to an audiobook, apparently.”
Probably didn’t need to know that, but he messaged me the details, anyway.
“He’s a good man.”Jayden leans on his knees, glancing at the carpet.“Fuck what a mess.”
I put my coffee on the side table and let out a sigh.
“Look, man—”
“I can’t stay living here anymore.”Jayden glances up and looks me in the eye.
Even though I knew this was coming, a coldness seeps into my bones as our friendship crumbles.It doesn’t need to, and that’s the stupid thing.
“I know.”
“Fuck, Liam.I asked you to be the guy who kept his hands off her.You.Me.Together we were the two men she could trust.”
That triggers me.
