Page 70 of Endgame

“You have to say that Kodi. You’re my best friend.”

I can see the tears she’s fighting to hold in. Navy has always been steadfast to those she loves. People often expect someone with a perfect life to have it all together, like they’re not warranted the ability to fall apart. If anything, they’re the ones who get a free pass.

I know she takes everything personally, no matter the face she’s wearing. It breaks my heart. I want nothing more than for Navy to find someone who trulyseesher. Sees her for more than a perfect face and a hard work ethic.

“I say it because it’s true. If ending things with Luke brings you that peace and fresh start you need, then I say do it.”

Her hand cups over her mouth as fresh tears fill herbeautiful green eyes. “I don’t want to hurt him. He’s been my constant for so long.”

Ten years is a long time to spend with someone. Trevor and I were together for a little less than that, and the pain of our breakup was excruciating—until Callaway. His kindness and protectiveness have shown me what I deserve, even when I wasn’t searching for it.

How twisted is it that the one man I feel myself falling for is the one that’s off-limits? Do I need to ask Navy for permission now that I’m sure he’s what I want? I don’t think so, but it feels wrong without her blessing.

Take out everything else. I want Callaway. I think that would be enough for her.

“Maybe it’s time to be there for yourself, Navs. You’ve got me. And you know I’m as damaged as it gets, but the focus I have put towards myself has brought me so much healing. You’ve got to love yourself again to be able to love someone else genuinely. You’ll get there. I’m still not even there yet.”

She nods, letting me know the understanding is there.

Giving me no time to prepare, her brows shoot up like she remembered something important and can’t wait another second to share.

Turns out, it involves me.

“While we’re on the topic of love and feelings, don’t think I didn’t notice how you failed actually to respond to my remark about you and Cal.”

There was no way to avoid this it seems. I need to handle it like a mature, adult woman who cares about a man. Easy enough.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Done.

Her gasp makes me fight off a chuckle. “You’ve always been a shitty liar. What’s going on with you two, Kodi?”

She’s my best friend and the most important person in my life, but I’m struggling to tell if she’s serious or not. Maybe it’s because my hands are equally tied to the man in question.

“We had a bathroom chat. Nothing more, nothing less. I already told you we wouldn’t go there—and we’ve kept to that.”

That may be a bit of a stretch, but we haven’t. We’ve been fighting like hell not to give in to each other for the sake of Navy, our jobs, and the additional hurdle of my own problems. I think Callaway and I would both agree it’s been tormenting. I may not strictly come out and say it, but I know he feels my struggle against what’s right.

Why can’trightbe the person we feel a magnetism towards?

The odds have never been in our favor.

“Kodi, Cal all but told me he was going to wife you up. Maybe not those exact words, but still. I know my brother and he doesn’t give up that easily.”

I still get butterflies at the thought of him being so sure of me so soon. Never forcing me to give him more than I was ready for.

“I’ve gathered that about him. But he knows where I stand. I won’t do that to you if I can help it. I won’t lie though…I do feelsomethingfor him. Something that wasn’t there when we first talked. There’s been a shift and I’m not sure when it happened, but even if I took you being his sister out of the equation, I still work with him. It could never work.”

I’m not sure if I expected her to argue or shut down. Instead, she looks a little dumbfounded. I guess that’s understandable.

I breathe a sigh of relief when she finally decides to speak up. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

That could mean many things. “Expecting what?”

She takes a sip of her drink before directing her attention to me again.

“For you to feel something for him. Well, to admit to it at least.”

I get that. But I’ve come a long way from just a couple months ago and Callaway has a lot to do with that.

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