Page 126 of Forgive You

His raging gaze is aimed at me with a precision that cuts my heart in two. Disappointment weighs heavily on me, and standing there, in the front door, I feel small and alone all over again.

It’s like a deja vu I thought we were past, but the energy that’s coming my way tells me we’re anything but that.

And when he finally opens his mouth, his voice gruff and judging, I know nothing has changed in the last couple of months.

“Were you with him?” His nostrils flare, and my eyes cramp shut.

He still doesn’t trust me.

35

My heart tumbles when her guilty eyes disappear behind her lids. It’s just for a second, but too long for a blink, and when the whiskey brown in her gaze collides with mine, it’s like a dagger to the heart.

Big eyes stare back at me. “What? What are you talking about?”

Is she gonna lie about it?

Really?

I thought we had passed this stage. We are in a better place. We both didn’t wanna fuck it up again, so why is history repeating itself?

I rub the bridge of my nose with sheer disappointment.

“It’s not a difficult question, babe.” I cut her a glare. “Were you with him?”

“It’s a complicated answer.”

“Answer me!” I snap, taking a step forward that makes her wince.

It’s not a complicated answer. If you ask me, it’s as simple as it gets. What’s making it complicated is the fact that she feels the need to lie about it. We should be a team.

Clearly, we aren’t.

If the answer is yes, I’m done. I can’t do this again. I don’t want to do this again. She’s either with me or she’s with him, but I’m not warming up any more seats.

“Julie.” I lift my eyebrows, pushing her to answer.

She sucks oxygen through her nose, her eyes welling up. “Yes.”

Remember that heart of mine that tumbled to the ground and got pierced by a dagger? It’s bulldozed over with precision. Big tires painfully crush each inch of it, until I can barely breathe.

“Unbelievable,” I mutter under my breath and spin on my heels.

Nothing is ever gonna change.

“No, Jason. Don’t do this. Not again.”

“Why?” I turn to face her. “Why the fuck am I still competing with him?”

“You’re not!” She reaches out, but I step away, hurt crossing her expression. “I don’t want Jacob.”

“Then why does his name keep popping up? Why does my girlfriend disappear on me to go see her ex-boyfriend?My brother?” I can’t even say his name; this whole thing tastes like acid on my tongue.

I don’t care that she isn’t ready to tell me everything that has happened between her and Jacob. I don’t care if she still has some things she needs to say to him because, deep down, I know she doesn’t love him.

Not like I think she loves me.

But it’s the lying I can’t get over.

---