Page 93 of Dirty Little Mistake

"Owen..." I said, stopping and twisting to face him.

"I was just here to make him jealous."

"No." I shook my head. "I know it looks like that, but you were not a rebound. I really liked you."

"But..."

"But as much as I tried to ignore it and fight it…" I sighed. "I am still in love with him." My gaze dropped to the sand. "I never should have started dating you, but to be honest. I'd convinced myself I was over him and that I was ready to move on. I really thought I was over him, but I was just in denial." My eyes met his. "I'm so sorry for that, Owen."

"I know..." He turned, starting to walk again. "And I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have cheated on you when I found out about you and Trystan. I should have talked to you, but I knew we'd both messed up. I knew we should have never crossed that line from friendship into dating. I just didn't want to lose."

My eyes narrowed as my head cocked to the side. "Lose?"

He gritted his teeth like he didn't want to admit it out loud. "I didn't want to lose to him."

"Seriously?"

He hung his head in shame. "Yeah. I know it's stupid, but that day on the terrace when Jax proposed. He challenged me, and I didn't realize it until now. I'm really sorry, and I'm sorry for calling you are whore. I don't think really think that. I just lost my shit when I saw his hands on you." My brows pulled together, confused because I didn't understand how you couldbe jealous of something you never really wanted. "Because I hate losing."

I rolled my eyes. "Sounds like we both fucked up." He nodded. "Do you think we can ever go back to being friends like we were?"

He raised his shoulders. "I don't know, but I know I really want to try. I don't want to lose you."

My lips curved into a grin. "Me either." I thought about asking him who told him about Trystan and me, but I knew that it would probably be a better conversation later with Trystan. "So, are you going to tell me about the girl?"

His brows raised. "Oh, are we going straight to best friend conversation here?"

"We are."

He pressed his lips into a tight line. "Are you sure you want to..."

"I'm positive, Owen. We are friends, and I want you to be happy." He smiled. "So, are you going to see her again?"

He blew out a heavy sigh. "I think that she and I are better as friends, too. I'm just not sure she agrees with that."

"Then you should talk to her. Don't make the same mistake twice."

"Camryn..." Trystan's voice sounded worried.

We both stopped, turning to see Trystan standing behind us. I had no idea how long he'd been there, but I guessed not too long.

"I'm fine, Trystan."

"Hey, man," Owen said, stepping forward. "I just wanted to apologize for this morning. I shouldn't have talked to Cam like that."

Trystan didn't say anything. He stood tense, like he was ready for a fight.

"Okay," Owen said, drawing out the word after a long awkward minute. "I'm going to head back to the house. I have to meet Jax in a few."

Trystan and I watched as Owen disappeared down the beach. "Why did you follow me?"

"Because I was worried," Trystan said. "He said really nasty shit this morning and..."

"And I said I could handle it."

"I'm sorry, but I was worried."

"How did Owen find out about us that night at the beach house? Did you tell him to cause problems for us?"

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