Page 12 of Forgive You

Kayla never made it a secret she doesn’t like Jacob.Thought he was a snake from the moment he introduced himself to me, she said when I told her I wasn’t going to take him back a couple of months ago.

At the time, I laughed in agreement. Little did I fucking know how right she was.

I grunt, taking another sip of my tea with my eyes moving up to the ceiling.

“Yes, Kayla.Jason.”

“Damn. Ouch.”

Ouch doesn’t cut it. Just thinking about it, I’m still fuming that he’s ghosted me for weeks until I stopped trying. For not even hearing me out, but just jumping to conclusions, like I mean nothing.

Like I’m his brother.

I know what it looked like, but I always thought Jason knew me better than that.

“What the hell happened between you two that makes him hate you?” Kayla is rarely serious, but she’s dead serious now as concern paints the creases around her plump mouth.

“He thinks Jacob and I are still together.” I shrug, swallowing the pain in my throat away.

I thought I could handle seeing Jason again. I had prepared myself mentally, with the solid resolution to be friendly, giving him kindness, compassion, and mostly patience, because I understand I hurt him. But the way he ripped my heart out with his words and the venom in his tone?Dear Lord,I could have never prepared myself for that.

“Are you?”

“No.”Hell no.

I want to tell her everything. I want to tell someone,anyone. But I can’t risk it. It will destroy the people I love the most.

“So, why don’t you tell him?” Her gaze squints.

“It’s complicated.”

The more I think about it, the more nauseous I get.

I left North Carolina with fire on my heels, ready to sacrifice it all, and it hurt. It hurts to give up what I’ve worked so hard for, and it hurts that I haven’t spoken to my folks in two months.

It hurts like hell, even though I know I made the right decision. Working at NVS made it hurt a little less, like I was capable of adapting, bouncing back and getting back on my feet. But that whole escape backfired because now it doesn’t hurt less. It just hurts differently.

“Jules…” My name rolls off her tongue in a warning tone. “What did that dickhead do? He’s up to something, ain’t he?”

You have no idea.

“Please, please, please, Kayla. I can’t get into it. Not right now.” Her face only grows sterner with harsh lines around hermouth. “I promise I’ll tell you when I’m flying back home in October, okay?”

Her expression softens without judgment, even though I give her every reason to, and my lashes blink rapidly to hold back my emotions. “Look, you don’t have to tell me. I believe you when you say it’s complicated.”

Guilt dries my throat, and I take a sip of my tea to get rid of it.

It doesn’t work.

“But if you feel like you can’t tell everyone else because of the history you all share, then at least tell me. I’m a barely legal brat who just joined the club. I’m not fully fused yet. I can still pick sides without repercussions,” she jokes.

“You’renotlegal,” I retort, chuckling as my doorbell reverberates through my tiny apartment.

Who could that be?

She waves her hand in the air. “Mwah, details!”

Our gazes tangle, a silent agreement forming, before a laugh escapes my chest. “Hold on, there’s someone at the door.”

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