Page 60 of Before We Were Us

“So avoiding him and pretending that you don’t want him is the better option?”

“It hurts now, but at least it's tolerable.” I shrug as if everything we’ve just shared is so simple and not the most ridiculous excuse for walking away.

“One thing I knew about you when I first met you was that you are strong. Brynn you are dedicated and bold. You have no problem standing in a room full of arrogant men and ensuring that by the time you leave that room they know you are in control. I’ve admired you from day one, loved your ability to take any situation and make it bend in your direction. You are a badass girl, but right now I’ve got to say I’m a little disappointed in you.”

My lower lip trembles.

“You’re not a coward.” Marco rubs my arm, then pulls me in closer to him. “You do not hide from a challenge, you conquer it. Ignoring these feelings, it's not going to help you and it's not going to help him. Tell him how you feel, make him understand why you are with him. Don’t you think the man deserves an explanation, a reasoning behind your choices?”

thirty-seven

. . .

Jensen

Connor: At the club and look what I found.

The text is followed by a picture. I can make out Taylor and Marco, and a few others but the one I am focused on is Brynn. I click on the picture and enlarge it to cut out everyone but her.

I miss her.

Leaning back on the couch I find myself smiling just as my phone vibrates with another incoming message.

Connor: There is a whiskey waiting for you at the bar. Stop sulking and come get your girl!

I read his message and then read it again.

Hitting the phone icon next to his name I lift it to my ear and wait for him to answer. “I said get over here, not call me.” He chuckles and the music in the background makes it hard to hear him clearly.

“Have you talked to her?”

“Nope.” Connor says something to someone, sounding as though he is covering the other end of the phone. “Taylor says she’s faking badly.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“Just get your ass up off the couch and come over here.”

“She made it clear that she wanted things this way.”

“Since when are you a quitter?” he asks. “Listen,” it sounds like he steps away from the music as I can hear him more clearly, “that day at your place, emotions were high. Times passed and all I’m saying is you’ve got a chance here. Let go of the hurt and the fucking pride and get your ass here. Tell her what you want, make yourself clear and in the end if you both walk away alone, at least you can fucking say you gave it your all. Or stay home and wonder what if, I don’t care, the choice is yours.” Connor ends the call and I sit on my couch, finishing the last of my beer.

Looking back down at the image on my phone I close the window and look around the cold space of my apartment. Then without another wasted minute I stand and get my ass ready to go after what I want the most.

Brynn.

thirty-eight

. . .

Brynnlee

“Someone is feeling good.” Ciara leans in, bumping her shoulder with mine.

“Just enough of a buzz to not care, but not too much that I can’t still make sure that no one gets within a foot of you.”

“Are you kidding me?” Though she attempts to sound annoyed she is smiling so I know she secretly likes my brother's domineering side.

“Protect her, keep any assholes away and don’t get so drunk that you can’t do those things.” I say this in a tone that I feel best mimics my brothers. We both laugh and I hear one of my favorite songs start. Wiggling my hips I start mouthing the words.

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