Page 80 of Fractured Fear

SPENCER

“That’s not what it looked like. It was nothing,” Asher says.

Well that was a blow to my ego. Unfortunately for Asher, I don’t forget easily. “Yeah the way you shoved your tongue down my throat really felt like nothing.”

Even though he won’t look at me, I can see how my words affect him. His jaw ticks and the muscles in his back tense. I know I’m being a brat, but he doesn’t get to kiss me likethatand then say it was nothing.

I’m a tangle of arms and legs as I try to stand up from the couch. I love this couch, but comfortable cushions do not make good stepping stones.

“If you say so,” Rio says unconvinced. “Now, Mama. What’s this I hear about you running?”

Frozen in my awkward position, I reluctantly meet Rio’s gaze. He’s trying to be his normal playful self, but I can see the hurt. He thought I was leaving him when it was the opposite. Accepting what they mean to me, means I have to go.

He nods to the envelopes scattered at Asher’s feet. “What are those?”

“Nothing,” I answer quickly. At the same time Asher says, “Goodbye letters.”

I scramble over the edge of the couch and immediately go to my hands and knees to gather the envelopes before any more can be read. “They’re nothing,” I say more firmly. Before I can reach Rio’s, he swipes it off the floor.

“I believe this belongs to me. I mean it has my name on it and everything. So I would say it’s safe to assume it’s mine,” Rio says the last part to Asher.

“I would agree with that reasoning,” Asher replies.

I jump to my feet and snatch the letter from Rio. “No, it’s mine until I decide to give it to you.”

“I think that was the plan when you left it on the desk downstairs,” Asher snaps. I glare at him over my shoulder.

“I apologized for that.” It’s a shitty comeback, and we both know I’ll be apologizing for a long time.

Until you’re able to actually leave.

While I’m arguing with Asher, Rio slips up and grabs the rest of the letters from my hands.

“Hey!” I shout and dive at him, but Asher’s arms circle my waist and lift me up against his chest.

“No you don’t, Princess.”

“Stop calling me that!” I shout as I kick my feet wildly. I don’t want to hurt him, but I wouldn’t be upset if I did.

“You didn’t seem to mind it earlier.”

“Oh, now it’s notnothing, huh? Well fuck you, you asshole!” I flail about in his arms to no avail, and I’m not entirely sure I want to leave the warmth of his embrace. Even if it’s not entirely comforting at the moment.

No, bad Spencer. We do not cave to the grumpy overgrown man who has the emotional capacity of a teaspoon.

I hear a rip and my attention jerks to Rio opening all of the letters. “Oh my God! Stop!”

“What’s the big deal? It’s not like I’m reading your diary.”

“Yes, it is!”

“Eh. Not really,” he is silent while he reads. “That’s really nice of you to leave everything to Hayes, but that won’t be necessary. You’re not going anywhere,chica.” He crumples the letter and tosses it to the floor.

“Rio!” I’m tired of explaining this. Once is enough. Asher can go spill to the other two over some tea like the meddling old ladies they are.

Very hot and sexy old ladies though.

Ugh. Not now. My vagina cannot be the one in control right now.

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