Page 109 of Tourist Trap

"Are you fucking kidding me, Paul?" I yell.

My ex's eyes widen, and his jaw sets firmly, but he doesn't speak.

"Claire, good to see you," Brad says, and I roll my eyes.

"Shut up, Brad. It's shitty to see you, as always. More so when you're being an even bigger asshole than normal." I turn back to my ex. "You sold your stake in your family home because, what? You found out I was dating Miles?"

"You were always into him," he says, sounding like a child who lost his favorite toy.

"Oh, get over yourself. If you knew I was into him, then whydid yougo after me that night? You were so fucking diligent about being together that whole summer, so caring, always hanging out with June and Lainey. Then when we started dating, you never wanted to come here again." I move closer to him, poking him in the chest. "Why go after me?"

He looks at me, then behind me, confusing me, but when I follow his gaze, I realize it being on Miles is the answer to my question.

Then, I see the truth I'd been slowly coming to over the past month or two. The painful understanding that I was just a pawn and another thing to use against Miles because Paul is a spoiled brat who needs the attention. That all this time, I'd been used as just another way to hurt his brother, and I was too stupid to even see it.

I don't know if I'll ever get over the fact that I was used as a way to get at Miles, if I'm being honest.

I, of course, knew this after Miles and I talked, but seeing the confirmation of it written so clearly over Paul's face, his utter lack of empathy for other people breaks something in me. Miles sees it, always so attuned to me, and he moves, putting a comforting hand on my back.

But he doesn't stop me.

"No fucking way," I whisper. "You have got to be kidding me."

"Oh, I'm sure he's told you all about us feuding our whole life. He always got whatever he wanted. For once I wanted to have what he wanted instead."

"You're fucking out of your mind. I'm a person, Paul! Not some toy!"

"And you were obsessed with him! Even when we were together!"

I shake my head because it's not worth arguing.

"You had me, Paul. Youhadme.I followed you across the country, left my family, was willing to pay for everything, but all you wanted to do was party and be some big star. But you didn't want to work, and you surely didn't wantusto work. So when I said hey, I need you to pull your weight and, I don't know, remember I exist as more than some cash cow, you said no. So I left."

"Right to my brother," he says, pouting.

"No. Not right to your brother, you dumb fuck. Home. To my family. Then I came here for the summer to be with my best friend. I needed a place to stay, and I was lucky enough that Miles was willing to rent a room to me. Yes, eventually, we realized there was something between us, but that was long after you and I were done. But you're such a spoiled brat you think everything is about you."

I turn to Brad, the fucking ringleader of it all.

"And you."

"Look, I get it. Family troubles, but—" he starts, but I cut him off.

"You're so caught up in trying to win that you can't even be happy with what you got." I fling a hand out at the bar. "You have this whole place. A successful business. An entire empire you'll inherit, and there are dozens of people willing to sell to you, but you stood on wanting his. Why?"

"Why?" he asks, like he's confused as to why I would be confused.

"Yes, why were you so vehement about getting that location."

All his good ol’ boy facade drops, and for the second time tonight, it throws me back.

"Because no one turns me down the way you did."

My jaw drops with that. "Excuse me?"

"You were a tease, all summer coming over to me and flirting."

"Oh, so you're fucking insane," I say, eyes wide.

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