I cross my arms and lean against the wall. “Are you high or something? I never took you to ask stupid fucking questions.”
“But how much? Enough to give it all up if it’s what’s best for her?”
My heart drops to the pit of my stomach. “What the hell are you trying to say?”
He sits up taller and looks me dead in the eye.
“I think you need to break up with Madeline.”
11
Nate
“What did you just say?”I must have misheard him.
There’s no way one of my best friends, Maddie’sbrother, could have just suggested what I think he did; the thought of it has my stomach in knots.
“I’ve been doing some thinking, and I think the two of you need some time apart.”
I’m waiting for the punchline, or for someone to jump out and tell me this is all a sick joke.
“Funny,” I say, with zero humor.
“I’m not saying forever.”
Wait, he’s for real?
“Are you fucking serious?” I take a step back.
“I am. But hear me out.”
“Hear you out?” My voice ricochets, echoing off the walls. “You might be her brother, but that doesn’t give you the right?—”
He holds up a hand to stop me from completely losing my mind.
“Just give me a minute to explain, Nate.”
I laugh sardonically. “You could give me the speech of a lifetime, and I still would never break up with your sister.”
“You don’t get it?—”
“No!Youdon’t get it.” I bang my fist against my chest. “You come into my goddamn house, making requests that would rip us both apart, and not just physically. Do you not understand how much I fucking love her?”
He stays silent, so I go on, my voice breaking, my eyes burning.
“She is my anchor, Mase. My reason for getting up, for trying to be better every damn day. You think I’d throw that away becauseyouasked? The fact that you think I would means you don’t know me, and we’re not friends at all.”
“Nate—”
“No.” I point to the door. “Get the hell out of my house.”
“Goddamn you. Will you just sit down and listen to me for one minute? Please.”
I clench my jaw, breathing heavily through my nose like a bull ready to charge. I’ve never been more infuriated with anyone in my whole life.
Break up with Maddie?
I want to force him to leave, and I should, but something in his voice stops me.
