Page 135 of Forgive You

“She does.” Jordan’s tone gets more irritated by the moment, but I have that in spades.

“How the fuck do you know?”

“Because she looks at you the way Charlotte looks at Hunter!” he cries out, and I just stare back at him, dumbfounded and lost for words as I take in the mix of irritation and…admiration in his gaze. “What? You two are my benchmark, okay?” He glances at Hunter, who just huffs, then finishes the contents of his beer.

“Boy, don’t make me your benchmark, or you’re gonna get your heart broken for no reason.”

We all laugh.

“Don’t worry, you and Charlottenoware my benchmark. I’m not stupid enough to waste seven years if I find the right girl.”

“Ouch.” Hunter grips his heart, though his expression is still dancing playfully.

“No offense.”

“None taken.”

“My point is,” Jordan goes on, “Charlotte loves the shit out of your sorry ass.”

I grind my teeth together, squeezing my bottle hard enough to kill if it was alive. “You done insulting me?”

“Not even a little bit,” he says, unfazed and with not the tiniest bit of humor in his heartbreaker blue eyes. “Julie has had the same look in her eyes. She loves you, man. Even though you’re a stubborn piece of shit.”

“Cash money here has a point.” Hunter points a knowing finger at my brother.

These two, I swear, no fucking help at all.

“Do you two want some cupcakes with your tea party?”

Unbelievable.

“Only if I can shove them down your dumb-ass mouth,” Jordan counters while a laugh bubbles from Hunter’s chest.

“Good one.” He reaches out his fist to Jordan, who bumps his own against it, and I roll my eyes.

“Alright.” Jordan continues, tapping a finger against the metal can. “Can we at least agree something doesn’t add up? Jason?”

There’s a whole lot that doesn’t add up.ThisI already know. It’s the blonde who doesn’t want to cooperate.

Stubborn little brat.

“What are you saying?” I’m kicking myself mentally for even engaging with these two, because one of these assholes is married and a fucking spokesperson for love ever since.

The other is apparently becoming an advocate for the concept if I can believe the lovey-dovey expression he just showed to the world while talking about Hunter and Charlotte.

“I’m saying stop being a damn donkey and at least go talk to her,” Jordan snaps.

“She won’t talk to me!” I haven’t told him, but I did call her this morning.

I don’t even know why or what in heaven’s name I would tell her, but I just wanted to hear her voice. Maybe I hoped for her to tell me I was wrong, that everything was gonna be alright.

She didn’t answer, and I can tell you that rejection hurt just as much, if not more, as finding out she’s still seeing my big brother.

“So, force her,” Jordan opts, clearly unaware of all the reasons why that sounds so wrong. “Force the truth out of her.”

“Jordan is right. She loves you.”

I stare into the grass, a chill running up my spine.Does she really love me?

---