Page 18 of Three Pucking Wedding Dates

“Because I don’t want you here,” I snap, not even bothering to look at her as I speak. “I don’t know how much clearer I can make it.”

Her eyes flash with hurt and anger, but she refuses to back down. “You really think throwing money at me will solve whatever problem you have with me being here?” she challenges, her words dripping with sarcasm.

“Oakley, just go.” My voice is ice cold, every syllable laced with venom. “Find a hotel, stay with friends, I don’t care. Just get out of this house.”

The tension in the room crackles like a live wire as Oakley’s eyes narrow and her voice takes on a steely edge. “You don’t get to treat me like this,” she says, her words cutting through the air between us.

I clench my jaw, memories of our shared history bubbling up like acid in my gut. It’s true that I’ve made mistakes, but I’ve always tried to protect her—sometimes even from herself. My anger flares, and I can’t help but lash out. “You think I don’t know what you’re doing, Oakley? You just can’t help yourself, can you?”

“Excuse me?” she retorts, stepping closer, her green eyes flashing with defiance.

“First me, and now my brothers?” I growl, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. “Wasn’t being with me enough? You had to go and throw yourself at Gray and Reid too, didn’t you? What kind of selfish slut does that make you?”

Her face goes pale, but instead of backing down, she squares her shoulders and meets my gaze head-on. “How dare you,” she hisses, her voice low and dangerous. “How dare you try to shame me for being with your brothers when you’re the one who took my virginity and then…then left me like I was nothing!”

My chest constricts, a painful reminder of that fateful night. I look away, unable to meet her gaze any longer. My hands tighten into fists, the memory of her soft skin under my fingertips taunting me. “And I’ll regret that night for the rest of my life.”

From the look in her eyes, I can’t tell if she’s about to cry or scream. But, she doesn’t back down, not like I thought she would. “As long as Gray and Reid want me around, I’ll be here. And if that means sleeping on the damn couch, so be it.”

My jaw clenches, my hands balling into fists at my sides. The intensity of my anger surprises even me, but I can’t help it.

“Fine,” I growl through gritted teeth. I watch as she turns on her heel, her wavy brown hair swishing against her back as she heads toward the living room. I can’t stand to be near her anylonger, not when every fiber of my being is screaming at me to do something, anything, to regain control of the situation.

Quickly, I pivot and stride down the hallway, making my way to the workout room. The heavy door shuts behind me with a thud, instantly muffling the sounds of Oakley settling into the living room. It’s just me now, surrounded by the familiar scent of sweat and iron.

As I begin to wrap my hands in preparation for a few rounds with the punching bag, I can’t shake the feeling that the words I said couldn’t be any further from the truth.

But, Oakley can’t know the truth.

My fists fly, each strike connecting solidly with the leather bag as I channel my frustration into every punch. I think of Oakley, her fiery determination and refusal to back down. And as much as it infuriates me, I can’t deny the admiration that blossoms alongside my anger.

Forbidden memories come to mind—the night of Oakley’s eighteenth birthday. The way her lips tasted like strawberries, her body trembling beneath me as I claimed her virginity. A surge of anger courses through me, fueled by my own helplessness and inability to control the situation now.

“Damn her,” I growl under my breath, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. I square off with the punching bag, remembering how her eyes had sparkled in the dim light, full of trust and love for me.

“Argh!” With a roar, I unleash a torrent of punches on the heavy bag, my knuckles connecting with the leather again and again. Each impact reverberates through my entire body, but it’s not enough to quell the tempest inside me.

“Is this what you want?” I snarl, imagining her defiant face. “To see me lose control? To watch me fall apart?”

The more I think about it, the angrier I become, and my strikes grow fiercer. Sweat drips down my brow as I push myself harder, faster, desperate to drive her from my thoughts.

“Get…out…of…my…head!” I punctuate each word with a powerful blow, my breaths ragged and labored. And then, with one final punch, the bag comes crashing to the ground, its chain snapping under the force of my onslaught.

I stumble back, gasping for air as I survey the destruction. My hands throb with pain, but it’s nothing compared to the storm raging inside me. Oakley has gotten under my skin, and I can’t seem to shake her off.

“Damn you, Oakley,” I whisper, my voice hoarse and raw. “Why won’t you just leave me be?”

As I stand there, chest heaving and fists still clenched, I know it’s not just Oakley I’m angry at. It’s myself.

9

OAKLEY

Sunlight floods the living room, casting shadows that dance over the plush couch I’m lying on. My thoughts are consumed by the harsh words Theo spoke to me last night. His voice, warm and inviting all those years ago, now feels like a cold dagger piercing my heart.

Still, as much as I should regret the two of us sleeping together all those years ago, I can’t bring myself to do so. That night is etched into my memory, an indelible mark on my soul. I remember how he was gentle and caring when he took my virginity, a side of him I haven’t seen since then. And it’s killing me not knowing why.

Truth be told, I always had a bit of a crush on Theo growing up. How could I not? He was the cool, quiet, older brother. But, I never thought anything would happen between us. How could it when he was so out of my league?

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