I’m barely able to breathe, my eyes bulging as I give Liam ahelpglare.He lifts a dumb shoulder, telling me I’m on my own.His lip quirks.
Ugh.
He’s so handsome and lovely...and not mine.
I told you I fucking loved you.
“Can you let me go?Please.”I grunt.
“Will you forgive me?”Jayden releases me and holds my shoulders, staring at me.“Let us take care of you.”
I glance between my brother and Liam, working out what’s going on.They’ve made up.And if that’s the case, there’s only one possibility.Liam has promised him he won’t pursue anything further with me.
To just be a friend.To never touch me again.
To not love me the way I want him to.
“You are forgiven.Whatever.I have to go.”I try to move again, but he stops me.
“Come home with us.”
And sleep where?On the sofa?To see Liam every day and pretend the past ten days didn’t happen?
“I have a new home.Jay, please just move.”
“Jessie,” Liam says behind me, and I lower my eyes.“Come home.”
“I have a home; I just told you.You don’t have to look after me anymore.”My eyes stay on the sidewalk even when I feel his large, warm body press against my back.
His arm wraps around me, and he turns me, lifting my chin.
“Jay knows everything.He knows I love you and that I’m choosing you,” Liam rasps.
He’s choosing me?
Tears pool in my eyes, and I forget to breathe.My brain and heart begin having an internal battle, unable to believe what they’re hearing.
“I’ll give you two a moment.”My brother walks back to the Jeep and digs out his phone.
My eyes return to Liam.
He smiles.
“If you’d have stayed, instead of running away, we could have worked this out.You know how he is when he gets hot headed.”
I do.
My brother has a tendency to shout off his mouth before thinking.He’s always been that way.Still, today was about me, and the fact he couldn’t put aside his selfish claim on Liam while I could gather myself is something I won’t forget.
I can forgive, but I won’t forget.
And it was a stark reminder that I shouldn’t have been in Liam’s bed.He’s always belonged to Jay.
“Listen, it's fine.I should’ve gotten over you a long time ago.You’re Jay’s friend.I’m the sister.”I wipe my eyes with my arm.“Let’s just move on.”
He blinks.
“Jess.You said you loved me.”His voice is rough, angry.
