Page 75 of Forgive You

I want to tell them the truth about Jacob. I want to tellsomeone,at least. But unlike Jacob, being the clear black sheep of the family, Jason and Jordan are good guys. They are chivalrous, loyal, and they have their hearts beating fierce and strong for those they care about.

I know what will happen if I tell them. They will raise hell, and they will risk way more than they are bargaining for right now. It will destroy Jason’s career, and Jacob has already destroyed one of us. That’s more than enough.

“He hasn’t been himself without you the last couple of months,” Jordan confesses, never dropping his focus from the crashing waves against the beach. “The two of you not talking is just weird. It’s like you are two peas in a pod.”

Emotion settles in my spine, pressing and aching. “I wasn’t the one not talking to him, Jordan.”

I begged the universe to let him answer his phone. I called him twenty times a day for a week. I texted him. I emailed him.

He ghosted me.

“I know. I also know you’re keeping something from us. Something about Jacob.”

I’m happy he’s not looking at me because that big ball of emotion is quickly watering my eyes like a damn waterfall.

“Jordan,” I croak out.

He shakes his head, then shoots me a comforting smile. “You don’t have to tell me. I know you won’t. I trust you have a good reason for not telling us.”

Gulp. Goddamn. When did he get so wise and all grown up? He’s supposed to stay a kid and ask silly questions and annoy me. Not bring me to the brink of tears with shit like‘I know, but I’m mature enough to not whine about it’. Who does that?

Jordan Spencer does that. 25 years old, soon-to-be singer-songwriter, who has a heart of gold, just like Jason. Considering I lost my only sibling, Jordan is very good at filling the void.

“I do,” I confirm, swallowing my tears away. Smoothly, I press my palms into my eyes to get rid of the excess moisture, just as Jason strolls out of the water.

“If I need to pick between Jacob or you, I will pick you. So will Jason.”

I swipe my head at Jordan, my features beaming with gratitude. It can’t be easy to admit that. To admit that your loyalty lies with someone other than your own flesh and blood.

I’m not sure I deserve it, but the feeling it gives me falls over me like a warm blanket.

“Thank you, Jordan.” I wrap my arms around his neck, then press a warm kiss to his cheeks.

“Are you after my girl, li’l bro?” Jason squints at his little brother, the sun at his back, glowing beside his head like a goddamn god.

Water is dripping down his six-pack, and I lick my lips, then press my teeth in the soft cushions to hold back the words that are trying to be spit out, like bowling balls returning to the rack.God, he’s sexy.

And that jealous glint in his eyes, holy hell. Wait, did he just sayhis girl?

“Your girl?” Jordan mocks, at the same time I blurt, “Since when am I your girl?”

“You’re sure as hell not his.”

“Oh, he’s so cute when he’s jealous. Don’t you think he looks cute?” Jordan slaps my thigh, and I lean my cheek against his shoulder to get a better look at the broad man in front of me.

He’s representing almost two dozen athletes, but the way his legs and arms are chiseled, you’d suspect he’s a professional athlete himself.

Sculpted arms like a baseball player.

Firm legs like a hockey player.

A torso you can do your laundry on in time of need. And shit, now my dirty mind wants to get a closer look at the package hidden by his midnight blue swimming shorts.

“He does look cute,” I admit through my thick lashes.

“Like a growling golden retriever.”

“He might bite, though,” I mock, peering innocently at the growing scowl on his expression.

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