Page 42 of Pretend it’s Forever

It was just how I had built my business, my gym, and my friend circle. I had done everything in my power to create what was mine, and hadn’t let the consequences matter.

Clearly they did.

Because here Sophia stood in her home, her hair looking as if I had run my hands through it for the hours that I had, her lips swollen, her legs bare, and she was here, standing up for me. As if I had any claim to that heart of hers. As if I had earned her protection. But I hadn’t. I had been the one to pursue. I was the one here now, and I would be the one to deal with the consequences. Sophia waited. No matter what I did, Sophia would have to be safe.

I might not be able to promise her forever, or even beyond this moment, but I could promise her that.

“So? Is anybody going to answer me?”

“We were just checking on you,” James said simply, as if there were anything simple about what was happening.

“By breaking into my home?”

“And you just let him in?” Flynn asked, the derision in his tone hurting more than it should. They were my friends, but then again, I’d gone behind their back and slept with their sister. I deserved a punch and hadn’t gotten it yet.

“We weren’t breaking into your home,” James said softly. “We didn’t want to wake the girls. And when you didn’t answer your phone or your door, we got worried.” James met my gaze and glared. “Clearly we were unaware of the changes in circumstances.”

“As in our friend taking advantage of our sister.”

“You’re lucky that I’m trying to be quiet because I don’t want to wake the girls, but don’t you ever say anything like that again,” Sophia said softly, her voice fierce. “What happens between Carson and me has nothing to do with you.”

“So something is happening?” Flynn asked.

“As if you couldn’t see it for yourself?” I drawled.

Sophia elbowed me in the stomach, though it didn’t do much. I looked down at her, and she glared up at me. “You’re not helping.”

“What is there to help? I sullied their perfect sister.” I leaned forward and brushed my thumb along her jaw. “But I’m not sorry about it.”

“Stop touching her,” Flynn bit out.

“What the hell is happening here?” James asked.

“It’s none of your business,” Sophia said. “We are two adults, and again, none of your business.”

“It is our business. You don’t know what Sophia—” Flynn stopped himself, and Sophia stepped in front of me. I put my hand on her shoulder to steady her, because I knew she shook, but from the way that both Flynn and James glared at that action, I knew it was a mistake. But not for her. And whatever happened, Sophia was the important one here. I might have just broken my friendship, potential business assets, and so much more, but I would not break Sophia.

“Don’t. I might have made a terrible decision once, but I will not make that same mistake again.”

Both faces paled, and James swallowed hard before holding up his hands. “That is not what we meant.” He looked over at Flynn and raised a brow. “Correct?”

“Right.” Flynn nodded tightly, and then glared at me. “We’re just worried about you.”

“Then don’t be. I’m sorry I didn’t answer a text, or the door. Although it is late enough that maybe I was sleeping. Or, I don’t know, being an adult and having an evening to myself. But don’t worry, it’s never happening again.”

The certainty of her tone slapped at me, but it was nothing I didn’t already know. It was what we had already decided. So I nodded and stared at both of them. “I’m sorry that you walked in on me in her kitchen getting water. Now, if someone will point me to the broom, I’ll clean up my mess.”

Sophia whirled at me, and I reached for her, so she didn’t step to the side and onto the broken glass with her bare feet. “Watch out. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

“So now you care,” Flynn muttered.

Sophia went to turn and say something to her brother, but I kept her steady. “Broom?”

“You don’t have to clean this up.”

I knew she wasn’t speaking of just the glass, but I had a feeling there wasn’t much to fix after this.

“Sophia. Go put on clothes, and I’ll clean this up, and then I’ll leave. I’m sorry for hurting your brothers.”