Page 27 of Fractured Faceoff

He glanced at me, frowning. "What's that?"

"It's a psychological principle," I explained, leaning forward slightly. "It's when rewards are given out at unpredictable intervals. It makes the behavior much harder to extinguish because you never know when the next reward is coming."

Jared's brow furrowed. "So, you're saying Ava's been... rewarding me?"

"In a way, yes," I said, nodding. "She gives you just enough attention to keep you hooked. But it's never consistent. That's why you can't let go."

He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, eyes fixed on the road. "So, she's been manipulating me?"

"Not consciously," I replied quickly. "I don't think she does it on purpose. Although… maybe she does. I think it's more… she's insecure about herself so she needs her own reinforcement by stringing other men along because it makes her feel good about herself."

He shook his head, looking frustrated. "But why? Why does she do this?"

"Because it makes her feel powerful," I said softly. "She likes knowing she has control over you. Over anyone, really."

Jared let out a bitter laugh, his voice raw and jagged. "So... she never really loved me?"

I hesitated, searching for the right words. "She might have," I replied carefully.

"Don't bullshit me, sugar," he said, cutting me off. His eyes were hard, the bitterness etched into his face.

I looked away as we pulled into Autumn’s neighborhood, the familiar houses passing by in a blur. "In truth, I'd like to believe she thinks she does," I said slowly. "But the truth is, I don't know. This borders on narcissistictendencies."

"But why Kash?" Jared's voice was strained, almost desperate. "Why pick him?"

"Because Kash is safe," I replied, turning to face him. "Jared, you're the Southern Serpent. You're a hockey player. You've been injured. Even if you play as long as you can, you're retiring at mid to late forties. Ava wants a lifestyle you can't possibly give her. She wants to be the bougie stay-at-home wife, maybe push out a couple of kids. She wants stability. Kash can give her that. You're just the danger on the side she can leave whenever it gets to be too much."

He pulled up to the driveway and put the truck in park. I unbuckled my seatbelt, feeling a weird sense of relief and sadness wash over me.

"Look," I said, turning to him one last time. "It's not fair to you. But honestly? You kind of deserve it. You're better than this. You're better than sneaking around, whether it's with your brother's fiancée or someone else. You deserve to be with someone who actually loves you and wants to be seen in public. You deserve to be the first and only choice." I shrugged, trying to lighten the mood just a bit. "Plus… the best revenge is happiness, right? And I'm sure it'd piss Ava off knowing you're not wrapped around her finger."

Jared's lips curved up in a small, humorless smile.

"Anyway," I continued awkwardly, biting my lip. "Thanks for the ride. I… uh… if you need to talk?—"

"Don't worry, sweetheart," he interrupted smoothly, his tone softening just a fraction. "I won't call you."

I nodded, guilt filling my stomach as I opened the door and stepped out of the truck.

Inside the house, I watched from behind the curtain as Jared's truck pulled away from the driveway and disappeared into the night.

Chapter 8

Jared

Isat in my car, watching Isla walk into her house. She didn't look back. Once the door closed behind her, I let out a long breath, gripping the steering wheel until my knuckles turned white. My mind churned as I pulled away from the curb and headed toward my townhouse.

Images of Ava flashed in my mind. Her laugh, the way her eyes crinkled at the corners when she smiled. The way Kash had smirked when he announced their engagement at that dinner party, like he'd won some grand prize. My stomach twisted at the memory.

Then Isla's voice echoed in my head, her lectures about responsibility and consequences. She always had something to say, always judging from that high horse of hers. I knew she meant well, but damn if it didn't sting.

Driving through the quiet streets, fury bubbled up inside me. How had I let it come to this? How had I been such a fool? Ava was supposed to be mine. We'd known each other for years, and I'd stood by silently as Kash swooped in and put a ringon her finger.

The road blurred as memories tangled together—Isla's disapproving glares, Kash's arrogant smirk, Ava's oblivious smile. I'd been a chump, playing the long game while Kash moved fast and dirty.

The torn ACL from that game last year throbbed with phantom pain as I hit the brakes at a red light. Even physical injuries couldn't compare to this mess. Isla might've seen it coming; she always had a knack for reading people. Maybe that's why she'd never trusted me around Ava.

But it was too late for self-pity now. I needed to fix this, to get Ava to see what Kash really was—a snake hiding behind a charming facade.

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