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“Did you really think that was going to work?”

“Didn’t it?”

“Cuz, you really don’t get it.” I’ve never seen him this pissed before. “I was this close to getting that fucker Chris out of her head. But after your little stunt? He’s everything she thinks about.”

“Shit. I’m sorry, man. I couldn’t sit back and watch you suffer in silence.”

“I don’t suffer in silence.”

“Right.” I hold up my hands. “My bad.”

He shakes his head, mouth pressed into a thin line. After a moment, he speaks again, his tone clipped.

“Focus on Gemma. I’ll handle things with Mary.”

“No more interference from me.”

Connor moves to the bar cart and grabs a bottle of scotch and two tumblers.

I down the scotch he poured me, letting the amber liquid burn away the bitter taste of regret.

“Another?” Connor already tops up my glass, not waiting for my answer.

I nod, the alcohol doing nothing to numb the hollow ache inside me.

“Cheers.” He clinks his glass against mine. “Remember when I was called to the principal because I hacked into the school system and got caught?”

“How could I forget? I got you out with two hours’ detention.”

“Bran still gives me shit about it. The only time I got caught.”

“Keep telling that yourself.”

“We should ask him.” I pour myself another scotch. “Bran.”

Connor snorts into his glass. “Seriously?”

“I’m dead fucking serious.” I lean back onto the couch. “He got things sorted with Naomi.”

“This is the same Brandon who uses ‘Are you from Tennessee?’ as a pickup line?”

“Seemed to work for him. At least 50% of the time.”

He shakes his head, but I can see his lips quirking upwards. “Never thought I’d see the day we’d ask Bran for relationship advice.”

“Desperate times call for desperate measures, cuz.” I shrug, then pause.

“Truce?” He holds up his scotch.

“Truce.” I clink my glass with his.

“Man, I could really go for one of Bran’s burgers right now.” I rub my stomach.

“Good Idea.” Connor pulls out his phone and calls Bran. “He’s probably still up.”

It rings once.

“This better be good,” Bran says through the speaker. “I was about to beat Bash.”

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