Page 86 of Hexes and Exes

“We’re done. With this dance, with whatever the fuck you’re trying to accomplish here.” I yank on my hand, and he scrambles to grab hold of it again, but I step back. “This is the end, Jamie. I spent years allowing you to talk down to me. To make little constructive comments about my looks, or my personality, or how I lived my life on the day to day. Guess what? If you didn’t like who I was, then you never should’ve been with me. I don’t know why I wasted so much time thinking that I should change. That I could be better to suit your needs. Here’s the thing. I don’t want to be the person you want me to be. You’re actually pretty disgusting inside and out. So your opinion doesn’t matter to me at all.”

Jamie opens his mouth to protest, but I don’t let him get a word out. “I know you think that I’m some sort of inroad to my father, but he’s never going to give you what you want. He’s a manipulator, just like you. He couldn’t give two shits about me. I'm just something else for him to control. Surprise, he doesn’t need you for that. So whatever this little game that you and him are playing together, it’s done. If you see me coming down the street, pretend I don’t exist.”

Jamie’s face is getting redder the longer I talk. But then his eyes widen. “Wait.” A slimy smile takes over his face. “Don’t you see, Ava, I remember you.”

“And I would like you to forget me.” I spin on my heel, feeling kind of badass. Jamie snatches up my hand and pulls me closer once again.

“Don’t you understand? I remember you, Ava.” He pronouncesrememberas though it’s heavy with gravity. “This time without your father having to show me pictures and tell me about you.”

At first, I don’t understand what he’s saying. He might be repeating himself, but that doesn’t mean I know what the hell it’s supposed to mean. Then it clicks. Like a timer counting down to zero before a bomb explodes. My heart sinks and nausea swirls in my stomach. There’s no way. I know the universe is a horrible, cruel place, but there’s no way I would be bonded to this man.

Why does he remember me, then?

I’m frozen in place. Too stunned to move until his lips graze over my cheek and he whispers in my ear. “You’re mine.”

I lift my knee and jam it into his balls as hard as I can. There’s no conscious thought. My body is physically rejecting the very idea of him.

Jamie drops to the floor, curled in the fetal position, groaning loudly. The crowd forms a circle around him, their surprised faces gaping at me and then Jamie.

“Get the fuck out of the way.” Bram pushes through the crowd, bulldozing his way toward me.

He stretches out his hand, and I take it without hesitation. He tugs me deeper into the crowd, so we can get lost in the midst of hundreds of people. The band is still playing, and he pulls me into his arms. We gently sway to the music, and this time, we’re perfectly in sync.

My whole body is shaking. Bram rubs his hand up and down my back. The candles flicker in the chandelier above and the flowers bloom and close in a slow cadence around theroom. The women’s gowns swish around us, the low murmur of conversation is a constant hum.

“Are you okay? He had you trapped on the dance floor.” Bram’s voice is unsteady, and he takes a deep breath. “I was ready to rip his head off, but it looks like you were just fine without me.

I wasn’t just fine without him. I’ve been a mess since the last time I saw him almost two weeks ago. I have been trying to stay away for my own sanity, but it hurts. As if someone cracked my ribs open and has been squeezing my heart on repeat.

I blink back tears and whisper. “I’m not okay.”

Bram pulls me back by my shoulders, inspecting my face, running his hands up and down my arms. “Where are you hurt?”

I shake my head, peering up at him. I feel like I've been transported inside a fantasy novel. In front of me is the black-hearted prince of shadows who it turns out was really just broken all along. He's not evil, he's just hurt. “What are you doing? I thought we’re supposed to be strangers now.”

The crowd is dancing around us. I’m sure we’re attracting attention. I don’t care. I’m so tired of worrying about what other people think.

Bram’s brow is furrowed, his gray eyes achingly sincere. “Thank you for the photos. I don’t know how you did it, but I’m grateful.”

I shrug, even as my heart is full. Even if we never spoke again, I would still want him to have those small memories of his mother back.

The two of us have stopped moving, standing still while the other dancers swirl around us in a sea of color. Bram lets out a shaky breath, his eyes so sad my heart breaks all over again. “I was a fool. I was… I am scared. I’m afraid of who I’m turning into. Afraid of what I might do to you. But I don’t want to let that determine my life anymore. I’m sorry I was a coward and that Itried to chase you away. I still think it’s the right thing to do, but it’s been pointed out to me that it’s not just my decision. So I’m asking you what you want.”

Tears swim in my eyes. I can’t let him keep talking. It doesn’t matter anymore. I’ve fallen in love with the man in front of me, but fate has tied me to the fucking prick who treated me like garbage and cheated on me.

Pretty fucking par for the course.

“Jamie remembers me,” I choke out, feeling disgusted as the words leave my mouth.

Bram rips off his mask and stares down at me. “There’s no way. That piece of shit is not your fated bond.”

Bram takes my mask and gently lifts it from my face. His thumb strokes over my cheek and cradles the back of my head. My heart is beating so hard, my breaths are labored. “I remember you, Ava. I’ve never forgotten you.”

I gasp and stare at him. His aura is a bright gold. The darkness that always swirls in it slowly dissipates like fog, as if it’s being burned off by the sun.

“Every minute of every day since I said those awful words to you, I haven’t stopped thinking about you. I hate myself for what I said. I know I should walk away because I won’t be good for you. There’s a darkness in me that I loathe. It’s taking over and it loves destruction. But when I’m with you, I don’t feel that way. I was going to apologize and tell you goodbye. I don’t think I can do that, and it’s probably the most selfish thing I’ve ever done.”

“You remember me?”

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