Page 136 of I Blame the Rival

“That was so stupid.” She’s crying in earnest now, “I told you not to try and be my hero. Why didn’t you listen?”

Her tears drip onto my face, slipping down my cheeks as if they were my own. I can feel her heartache in each one, the fear and pain she went through by having to watch the fight.

Opening my mouth to respond, I suddenly notice the bruise blooming on her cheek. A brand new ache fills my body as I reach up and touch it.

“Did you get hurt?”

“I caught an elbow when I was trying to pull Jerrell off you.” She shakes her head, wrapping her hand around my own, “Don’t avoid the question, Skylar. Why did you start a fight that you didn't want to win?"

“Idid win.” My chest clenches painfully as I start to laugh, the sound coming out more as a wheeze, “A hero will charge into battle to save the one he loves but a villain will destroy anyone who touches them.”

Lacey presses her hand to my chest, trying to get me to stop convulsing, “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“You needed a villain, Flower. And I needed to be saved.”

This whole time, I’ve been worried about falling short of being the male lead this girl deserves. Now, I know that it was never about the love I have for my flower.

It was about the love between two brothers.

Turns out, I didn’t have to be a leading role because someone had already claimed that title. And with one flick on the nose, I made sure Jerrell would never bother Lacey again.

“You did it on purpose.” She blows out a shaky breath, “Even though you didn’t know if Vector would come for him.”

“I knew he would.”

“How?”

My face breaks into a painfully wide smile, “Because he promised.”

Lacey blinks down at me, her bloodshot eyes tracing the curve of my mouth.

“I’m still mad at you.”

“That’s okay. Do you want to know a secret?”

She bites her lip, trying to contain her smile. Reaching up, I press my thumb on her bottom lip until it slipsfree.

“I love you.”

“You’re a terrible hero, Skylar Vin.”

“That’s true.”

She laughs, bending down to press her lips to mine, “I love you too.”

Closing my eyes, I’m about to soak in every second of this moment when a clap echoes beside us. Blinking my tired eyes open, I turn and see silk material and glittering chains approaching us.

“Don’t worry, Expressionless Wonder, I bought the perfect remedy for you.” Nico grins, plopping himself down beside Lacey and passing over a shot of tequila.

“He bought the remedy for the entire bar.”

The grumble comes from my other side and I shift to see none other than my brother’s biggest rival scowling at the ground.

Lacey and Nico help to push me into a sitting position. Trying not to stare at the lacrosse legend, I take the alcohol offered with a nod of thanks.

“To the little guys.” Nico clinks his shot glass against mine, “For not being afraid to lose.”

“Nico!”

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