Page 82 of Break

“What if there’s an emergency?” I press. “Your parents or Grace might need you.”

“No one needs me.”

Oh, if only she knew how untrue that is.

“We do,” Kerrington says. “We fucking need you, Nicole.” He reaches under the table, and I think puts his hand on her thigh.

The upbeat, happy girl I dined with a mere five minutes ago vanishes. She shoves away from the table and abandons her breakfast… and us.

My heart stops when I hear the bathroom door shut. Kerrington, however, goes back to eating his meal like nothing’s wrong.

“What the fuck?”

“Let her be.”

“No.” I shove my chair back and stand. “I’m sick of stalling and acting like this doesn’t hurt.” Storming into the bathroom, I don’t even bother knocking. I just plow right in and find her flushing the toilet.

“Landon!”

“Don’t do this.”

“Don’t do what?”

“Shut us out again!” My heart thuds hard in my throat. “I hate that I’m walking on eggshells with you, Nicole. And you know what? I’m glad Kerrington fucked you so hard you couldn’t walk last night, because you wear his mark all over your body. He branded you. Maybe I should too, so everyone knows you're ours.” Then my petty side shows up. “SoTWknows you’re fuckingours.”

Her face turns crimson just before all the blood drains from it.

“What the fuck do we have to do to make you understand we love you? That we’ll do anything for you? That weneedyou?”

“Lan…”

“Shut the fuck up and let me finish.” Christ, I’m such an asshole. But I’m pissed off and can’t filter myself. “We’ve spent nearly a decade watching and wanting you from the sidelines. A decade, woman!” I slam my fist on the counter. “And now you give us a glimpse of what life would be like if we could keep you forever and the instant you start feeling happy about it, youclose off.”

She shakes her head.

I cup her face, stopping her. “Yes. You do. Out there,” I say, pointing toward the dining area. “You were the happiest I have ever seen you, Nicole. And in one minute, when you had to face your truth, you shut us out again.”

“I’m not shutting you out,” she hisses, smacking my hand away from her cheek. “I’m protecting you, you asshat!”

“Protecting us from what?”

Chapter 25

Nicole

I am in so much trouble.

“Protecting us fromwhat?” Landon asks furiously. His blue eyes darken with frustration and concern. I prefer it when they’re bright and sparkling. Guess everyone has two sides to their coin. Landon is wildly funny, but also fiercely protective. Kerrington is stoic and intense, but also insecure and cautious.

Me? I’m weak and also stupid.

My brain shoves all the excuses down my throat, and I swallow them. I could say I have this small, insignificant issue handled. I could pull the “it’s not your business” card again. I could laugh and play it off like I’m joking. I could lie. I could leave.

I won’t do any of those things.

This week with Landon and Kerrington was supposed to be my last hurrah. My final goodbye. My “it was nice knowing you guys, and it’s been fun, but I gotta hit the road,” and never look back.

As if there was ever a chance I could be so strong?

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