Page 51 of Rejected Pretend Mate

"I want you to think about everything. April is fragile. She is going through so much, and she doesn't need…" She paused, looking away from me. Her shoulder sagged. "She doesn't need to be the next person you sleep with and leave behind. She needs someone that is going to care for her and love her for the rest of her life."

I ground my teeth together. "Do you seriously think I'm that heartless? That I would jeopardize my friend and my family like that? All to get my dick wet?"

She frowned. "I don't know what you would do, but I have to protect April. She is my family." She placed her hand on her chest. "And she means the world to me, and the thought of you hurting her when she is already so broken..." I watched tears bloom in her eyes. "I can't help her....she won't let me...but I can do this. I can make sure that if this isn't real for you, you leave her."

I knew Riley was a more gentle person, but I also knew she could fuck a person up if she wanted to. That was if Cayden didn't get to me first.

"Do you doubt April's judgment?"

"No," she said, shaking her head.

"Then why are you doubting it now?"

"Because she is hurting!" Her voice pitched. "And I swear to god, Weslie. If you hurt her, if you make her cry, or break her heart, I will come for you."

I could see her worry and the pain of thinking I would hurt April.

"Riley, I love her."

She wiped her eyes and straightened herself. "Have you said that to every girl you slept with?"

I sighed. "Why do you think we slept together? Has she told you we did?"

She raised an eyebrow at me. "I know, April. And I could see the embarrassment on her face. I don't care about that part. I care about what happens next."

I walked closer to Riley and took a seat at the island. "April, I have never said those words to anyone. I have never been in a relationship besides your sister when we lived in the old pack."

She waved a hand. "April said that....but she never gave me the details."

My eyebrows went up. Cayden didn't tell her what I'd said? "He didn't tell you?"

She scowled. "We weren't exactly on talking terms since that night. I wanted to, but he goes out for a run and doesn't get back until late."

I frowned. "I'm sorry. I don't…I don't want this to get in your guy's relationship."

She snorted loudly. "Little late for that. Now explain."

I sighed. "Do you remember when … God, you guys were probably fifteen. April asked me out in front of Cayden to piss him off. This was just before he left. A couple of months, maybe."

Her eyes widened. "Oh my god! You guys actually started to date!? I thought it was a joke!"

"It was a joke at first. I took her out because I thought it would be funny. And we got along really well. We started to text each other and hung out. And when Cayden left, she started to come and see me more."

She frowned. "Why didn't she ever tell me?"

"We never told anyone, and when it got more serious, things…changed."

She frowned. "You mean like what happened to Cayden? You didn't get a choice anymore..."

I nodded, not wanting to think about those days and the stress it gave me. "Yeah, my folks were asking about her and when I was going to settle down. Cayden was gone by this time, and at that point, I was trying to protect her, but…I couldn't protect her for me. So, I left."

She shook her head and sighed. "Jesus…"

"I love her, April. I have always loved her. Sure, I’ve been with a lot of women, but it isn't the same as April. She is all I have wanted, all I will ever want."

Riley watched me for a moment, seeming to analyze my words.

"Does she feel the same?"

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