Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 71396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Lance stands in the middle of the room, glancing around like he half expects someone else to be here. His shoulders are rigid, fists clenching and unclenching at his sides.
He turns on me with a sharp pivot, his eyes wild and bloodshot. “So… you and Reid?”
The air between us tightens, like the oxygen has been sucked out of the room. I don’t flinch. I lift my chin slightly, keeping my voice even. “Yes.”
Something flickers across his face—shock at my refusal to be ashamed, then betrayal, and finally the simmering rage I recognize all too well. A muscle jumps in his jaw, taut as a wire. His hands fist at his sides, and I can see the whites of his knuckles standing out stark against the ruddy tone of his skin.
“When did it start?” he grinds out, each word bitten off through clenched teeth.
I draw in a breath, cool and steady, even though my heart’s banging like a drum. “After I left you.”
He scoffs—sharp and ugly. “Bullshit.”
“It’s the truth.” My voice doesn’t waver, but my palms are damp, and I fold my arms across my chest.
He shakes his head, pacing a few steps, then spins back to face me. “You expect me to believe you just happened to fall into his bed the second you walked out of mine?”
“No,” I say quietly. “I expect you to believe I fell in love with someone who saw me. Who respected me. Something you stopped doing a long time ago.”
His breath comes faster now. I can see the vein in his temple, pulsing hard. He looks wrecked, but I don’t feel sorry for him. Not anymore.
I meet his gaze head-on. “This didn’t happen while we were together, Lance. You lost me before Reid ever touched me.”
He paces like a caged animal. “You think I don’t know how he’s always looked at you? Since we were teenagers? Always sniffing around like some loyal fucking puppy.”
“Reid was never the problem, Lance. You were.”
That stops him. His eyes flash and his voice rises. “I made one mistake!”
“No,” I say. “You made a thousand small ones. And then one big one… you cheated on me.”
He stalks toward me and I instinctively take a step back. “Don’t you dare stand there and act like you’re innocent in all this.”
“I never hit you,” I say flatly, and he freezes. “I never cheated on you. I never tried to control who you saw, or what you wore, or where you went. I didn’t tear you down every time I had a bad day. So no, Lance. I’m not perfect, but I’m not the one who killed what we had.”
His eyes widen, and for a split second, I see the man I once loved—the one who used to make me laugh, who used to bring me flowers from the market.
But that version of Lance is long gone. I know that without a doubt as his expression hardens once again.
He barks a bitter laugh and drags a hand through his hair. “This is all Reid’s fault,” he mutters. “Golden boy. He always gets what he wants, doesn’t he?”
I frown. “Don’t do that.”
“Don’t do what?” he snaps, eyes narrowing. “Tell the truth? You think I don’t see it now? He’s always had a thing for you. Since we were kids. And you—” He gestures toward me, wild and accusatory. “You always lit up when he walked into a room. I was just the one dumb enough to believe I ever came first.”
“You did,” I say firmly. “For a long time. Until you stopped treating me like someone worth keeping.”
He points a finger at me, his voice rising. “No. Don’t twist this into some self-help bullshit. You were mine, and he took you.”
Frustration sweeps through me so fast, I’m actually dizzy for a moment. It’s followed by a burn of anger deep in my chest. I step forward, my voice sharp. “No one took me, Lance. You lost me. You lied to me.” I come toe to toe with him, lifting my chin to glare at him. “You controlled me. You humiliated me. And then you hit me. I walked away from you, not toward Reid.”
His expression fractures at that—guilt bleeding through, but not enough to soften the anger. “He’s my brother. He was supposed to have my back,” he growls. “Not take what’s mine.”
“I am not a possession,” I snap. “I’m not yours. I never was. And for the record? Reid didn’t chase me. I went to him.”
That hits its mark. He flinches like I slapped him. Then he looks at me like he doesn’t even know who I am anymore.
“You’ve changed,” he says, quieter now but no less bitter. “You’re not the girl I was going to marry.”
“No,” I agree. “I’m not. Thank God.”
He steps closer again and grabs my wrist. Not painful, but forceful.