Page 96 of Prized Possession

Jacob lets out a long sigh as he drags his hand over his face. “I know.”

“We both know this isn’t just about your behaviour today, or the other day at dinner. You’ve been spiralling for a while, and it’s only getting worse.” I try not to sound judgemental, or as hypocritical as I feel, but it’s clear in the way Jake’s eyes narrow, he thinks I’m judging him.

“This isn’t about me. I’m here to check on you. I need to know that you’re okay here. I’ve been worried sick since that fucking awful poker night. I’m so sorry that I bet you, and that you’re paying the price for my mistakes,” he rushes out, guilt practically dripping from every word.

I can’t help but chuckle, and Jake’s eyes widen in confusion. “Jake, I’m happier here than I’ve ever been. You have nothing to apologise for. I want to be here.”

“I’m confused. Are you and Marcus…”

I bite my lip as I shake my head, unsure how to explain what the hell is going on between us, but I settle for some version of the truth.

“No, we’re not, but it’s a bit of a long story.”

“I’ve got time,” he replies, fixing me with a stare that tells me it’s not optional.

I let out a sigh, internally cursing Marcus for running away so I have to deal with this on my own. “Marcus made the bet with you because I asked him for his help.”

“What?” Jake blurts out, interrupting me before I can finish.

“I don’t want to marry Scott. I don’t want any kind of arranged marriage, and yet nobody seems to give a shit about what I want. When I found out I was marrying him, I went to Caged and drank a lot.

“Marcus stopped me before I was about to do something stupid, and we, erm… We got talking, and he said he could help me get away for a bit. I was feeling suffocated, and although he couldn't get me out of the engagement, he said he could get me a few weeks of freedom, so I agreed.

“Honestly, I didn’t really think much of the agreement, and I thought when the booze wore off the next day that it would be all talk. I had no idea what he was planning, so I was shocked when I found out about the bet. It wasn’t Marcus’ greatest plan, and I’m sorry you were hurt in the process, but I’m not sorry I’m here.”

Jake shakes his head as he squeezes his eyes closed, using a thumb to rub circles into his temple like he’s got a headache.

“So the bet wasn’t real. You don’t really belong to him? This was all just an elaborate plan to get you away from Scott, to delay your wedding for a few weeks?”

I reach over and take his hand in mine, squeezing until he opens his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m so confused. Why didn’t you come to me?” he asks, hurt dripping from every word.

“Honestly, you’ve not exactly been yourself recently, Jake. Whenever I talk to you, you’re so off your face, you can barely string a full sentence together,” I reply honestly, though I hate the way his face falls.

“I’m not that bad,” he grumbles.

I squeeze his hand reassuringly again as I give him a sad smile. “Yes, you are, Jake. You have a problem—a big one. You need to go to rehab.”

As soon as the word leaves my lips, he pulls his hand from mine and turns to glare at me, his face scrunched up in a way that makes his normally beautiful face appear ugly.

“Fuck you. I don’t have a problem, and I don’t need to go to rehab.”

I don’t know when Marcus came back into the apartment, or how long he’s been standing in the hallway, giving me and Jacob some time together, but as soon as he hears Jake yell at me, he makes his presence known. He strides into the room, a fierce expression on his face.

“Do not talk to your sister like that!”

“Fuck you. I’m supposed to be your friend, and you lied to me,” he snarls, shooting daggers at Marcus with his eyes.

Marcus ignores him and moves over to me, sitting next to me on the sofa. There’s not much room between the sofa arm and me, but he lowers himself into the gap, pressing his side up against mine in a way that I shouldn’t find both reassuring and incredibly sexy.

As always when he’s this close to me, my body starts to heat. Luckily, Jacob’s temper is enough to distract me.

“Iamyour friend, which is why I agreed to help your sister.”

Marcus’ words sting a lot more than they should. The idea that he’s only helping me because of Jacob hurts, as I thought he was doing it for me.

“You should have told me and I would’ve helped her,” he shouts.

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