Page 118 of When You Had Me Adapting

The door swings open interrupting our conversation and my brother walks out onto the deck.

“Colt,” I yell, jumping up from my chair and throwing my arms around his neck.

“Hey, Sis,” he says, wrapping his arms around me and spinning me around. He sets me down. His green eyes immediately find Jace.

“Oh hell no,” he says. “What’s he doing here?”

“I know what you’re thinking, but it’s okay, we’re back together.”

“Together?”

“Yeah, together,” Jace says, joining me by my side and grabbing my hand.

Colt shakes his head. “Lace, can I have a word?”

I nod and follow him back into the house. Glancing over my shoulder, I give Jace a reassuring smile. While everyone in my family was oblivious, and still is, to the reason we ended things, I confided in my brother.

He moves quickly toward the front door. I hear my mom say something, but we both ignore her.

He swings it open, gesturing for me to walk outside, and when I do, he follows me, slamming the door behind him.

“Please explain why the asshole who cheated on you ten years ago is sitting on the deck with Dad and you’re calling him your boyfriend.”

“I didn’t call him that.”

“No, you said you were together. What does that mean? Fuck, don’t tell me you two are engaged?”

I laugh, “God no, Colt. We’re together. It’s really new. No label, but we’re trying again and I invited him to come because he knows what it’s like for me when I’m around Mom. I wanted him here.”

“He cheated on you.” He begins to move around the driveway.

“No, he didn’t.”

He scoffs. “And how do you know? Did he tell you that? Fuck, men lie.”

“Colton, while this is very sweet of you, I think you forget you’re my younger brother. I’m eight years older than you and I’m not an idiot. The woman I saw him with was the mentor he was paired with for the photography program. They weren’t a couple. Mariah and I blew it out of proportion. I overreacted and ran because I was young and scared and didn’t like the way being vulnerable made me feel.”

“And you know this because?”

“Because I met her. She’s happily married, to a woman, I might add. It was all a big misunderstanding, and I promise he’s a good one. He’s so good, Colt.”

He stops moving and turns to face me. “I don’t ever want to see you that hurt again.”

“I know, but I promise he won’t hurt me.”

Stepping forward, he wraps me in a hug. “I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you too, bud.” I let go and ruffle his dirty blond hair with my hand like I did when he was a kid.

“Sorry I never called you back. You FaceTimed me over a month ago and I got so wrapped up in summer ball. I should’ve called you back or at least texted.”

“It’s fine. I’m just as guilty. I called you to tell you Jace hadn’t cheated. I had just found out and I wanted to tell you about it. I’m sorry I made you hate him too. I’m sorry you had to see me like that. That wasn’t fair to you. You were only nine.”

“I don’t care. I’ll always protect you, Sis. You don’t have to be sorry.” He wraps me in another hug and squeezes me tight.

When I pull away my hand finds the locket and I begin to move it along the chain.

His eyes dart down to the necklace and he begins to laugh. “Why are you wearing that?” he asks.

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