Page 26 of Take What You Want

“Why would you even ask me that?”

“Because,” I say, growing frustrated. “He’s one of your best friends and clearly working on music with other artists isn’t doing it for you. You miss the band and I’m not saying that what he did was right, but you have to admit your part in the dissolution of it all.”

Walker straightens up and crosses his thick arms across his broad chest. “My part? You mean, defending Scar?”

“Walker—” Scar starts.

“I’m not saying you shouldn’t defend her. It’s fucked up what he did. I’m just saying that you’re just as stubborn as he is.”

“You weren’t there, Jane. We tried. It never got anywhere except more fighting.”

“Okay, okay,” I say, raising my hands in defeat. It’s not like I’m trying to change his mind or rewrite the past. They’re all adults and can make their own decisions.

But if Nikolai is going to sign a contract for three albums, the guys should be aware of that because there really isn’t any turning back at that point.

“I’m not trying to fight with you about it,” I say, swiping my thumb across a bead of condensation on the water bottle. “I just don’t want you to live with regrets.”

Because they eat at you from the inside out.

Walker strides around the counter, coming over to my side. He pulls me into his side and lays his head on top of my own. “I know. I love you for it. But what’s done is done. If Nikolai wants to sign, he should do it.”

I lean into him for a moment, enjoying the familiarity that only can come from family.

I flick my eyes over to Scar as she twirls her soda can around in little circles. “Scar, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off like I was defending Reid or anything.”

She immediately cuts me off. “No, I didn’t think you were. It’s all good.”

I’m not sure if she’s moved past it because of her own forgiveness of Reid, or for Walker’s sake. More likely for my brother, which makes me love her even more. She let down all of her walls for him and I know she’d do anything for him, just like he would for her.

Walker pulls away, and I shiver, missing the heat that always radiates off him. I rub my hands over my arms as goosebumps rise.

“It’s spring, why is your house like an igloo?” Even the sun shining in is losing its battle with the AC.

Scar rolls her eyes and points to her hoodie. “Thank you. That would be because of your brother. He insists we keep the place on 65 degrees all day long.”

My eyes widen as I turn to look at him. “Are you serious?”

He shrugs in his cut-off T-shirt, completely unbothered by the chill. “I run warm.”

“I’m honestly surprised he put a shirt on today.” Scar snorts, taking a sip of her drink. “It’s a rare occurrence around here.”

Walker cocks an eyebrow at her and slowly rounds the island. “That’s not something you usually complain about.”

She rolls her eyes, playing it cool, but she can’t hide the pink blush staining her cheeks.

“Should I leave you two alone or…” I say, hitching my thumb toward the door.

Scar plants a hand against Walker’s chest and gives him a playful shove as he tries to grab her. “Back off. And go grab your sister one of my sweatshirts to borrow.”

Walker allows himself to be shoved away with an exaggerated pout. He starts to walk upstairs, and I call after him, “Bring me one of your hoodies, please.”

Scar frowns, and I tilt my head to the side. “You don’t actually think that you have anything that would fit me, do you?”

She’s not only almost six inches shorter than me, but also many sizes smaller.

“I have plenty of oversized sweatshirts.” She gestures to the one she’s wearing that hangs partway down her thighs.

“For you, they are. But I also like oversized things. And your oversized is more like my true size.”

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