Page 24 of Give Me Forever Love

those questions about Red. I should have known something was off. I was so happy. So blind. I’d just spent an amazing night with my guy, and everything was perfect. I let my guard down and she snaked her way in.

“Harrison.” My head jerks back at the sound of

Jace’s voice.

When did he get here?

“Come on.” His eyes dart down to her, but only for a moment, and then he looks back at me.

He tries to act like seeing her doesn’t affect him, but it’s as clear as the stretched pupils in his eyes.

“Stay away from us,” I say. “Don’t come near my family again. Whatever your little heart is feeling toward Jace, let it burn out. He’s dead to you.” I push off the bench and walk toward fucked up and trying.

He gently grabs my arm, and wanting to put aside our fight, I don’t brush him off.

I look over and see Lee talking with the lawyers. It’s hush-hush and Lee looks distraught, which makes me uneasy.

Jace grabs my attention. “Go in front of me,” he says, looking to where Mary is seated.

My eyes bounce back to Harlow. She’s looking down at the papers in her lap. I clench my jaw before walking forward, taking a seat beside the boys’ mom.

Mary looks ahead, but I hear her speak. “Good job,” she says. I look at her for a moment, and then she turns her head to me with a hint of a grin.

I exhale, returning her smirk before looking away. I sit with a bouncing knee, picking at the skin beside my thumbnail.

Nasty habit.

It’s sore, and yet I keep it up. I’m crippling with anxiety, anxious as fuck to see Bryce. I haven’t spoken to him since our argument. It was only yesterday, but damn if my heart isn’t suffering from withdrawals. She needs to see him.

My eyes scan the small room. I look over everyone else here.

Not one smile, only hope.

Everyone’s expecting the worst and wishing for the best. As the judge moves through other cases, I look over at Jace. He’s slightly fucked up. Clammy and probably wishing he was anywhere but here. I lean into him, slightly hitting his shoulder with mine.

“I’m sorry,” I say.

He looks down at me, his eyes scanning me over. “Me, too,” he says. He sniffs slightly, trying to make it seem natural, but I know different.

Jace is high on cocaine, suffering from heartache and hoping he didn’t mess up his brother’s whole life.

And I realize…

It is him I pity.

Chapter Eight

Bryce

“Come on, Grant,” the guard says. I look over at him after K disappears from my sight. Other people occupy the room but are too busy spending time with their loved ones to pay attention to mine and K’s argument. I ball my fists, fighting the urge to shove this fucking table across the room.

I want to run after her and grab her up into my arms. I’ve hurt her and I feel like a piece of shit.

I move from behind the table and walk back to my cell with the guard behind me.

After the door slides shut, locking me in here, I walk over to the bed and sit. With my head down, I stare at the floor. She fucking walked out on me.

Can you blame her?

---