Page 107 of The Bro Pact
“No. Not right now, Marissa,” I say with a sigh, getting fed up with repeating myself.
I’m going to strangle Nelson for letting my ex-girlfriend into the house after I’ve ignored her for weeks. Sure, I’ve been having second thoughts about our relationship ever since she texted me wanting to get back together, but I wasn’t ready to talk.
“Why not, Kyle?”
“Still committed to your little pact, I see?” Nelson asks with a chuckle, shaking his head condescendingly. “Childish if you ask me.”
My heart drops as Marissa’s brows furrow. “What pact? What’s he talking about Kyle?”
I’m going to murder him.
Nelson’s smile is smug, and I really wish he’d just butt out and go away.
“Why the hell are you still here, Nelson?” I sneer before he rolls his eyes and disappears back into the house while I continue to stand in the foyer with my ex.
“We’re not together anymore, Marissa. I don’t know why you’re here, or why my brother let you in,” I say, laying it all out there without actually answering any of her questions.
She ignores me, continuing her inquisition. “Let me guess . . . Whatever this dumb pact is, Warren put you up to it.”
My mouth tightens into a thin line, refusing to answer, but she keeps going nonetheless.
Marissa scoffs. “I’m sure it was all his idea, and you just went along for the ride like you always do. He continually gets you into trouble, Kyle. Can’t you see that? It’s absolutely ridiculous, and I think it’s time you cut ties with him and move on.”
I burst out laughing because it’s just so absurd, even though I know she’s being dead-ass serious by the look in her dark eyes. “Why do you think you have a say in what I do, or who I’m friends with, Marissa? Now,that’sridiculous.”
Marissa sighs and shakes her head like she knows something I don’t, and I’m just being silly. “Because, baby,” she coos, lowering her voice and sidling up to me. “It’s why I’ve been trying to get ahold of you.” She runs her fingers along my forearm, tickling me and attempting to get me worked up, but I feel nothing.Absolutely nothing.“I’m so sorry for breaking up with you, Kyle. I made a mistake. A really stupid one. Will you forgive me?”
I stare at my ex for a minute, scanning her long dark hair and big brown eyes that make her look so sweet and innocent. When I don’t answer, her smile drops slightly, but she doesn't give up.
Marissanevergives up.
It’s actually one of the traits I first admired about her in debate class senior year.
“My parents are paying for my apartment next semester, and I want you to move in with me,” she blurts out.
I blink slowly as if that will give me time to process her words, but it doesn’t really work.
I’m still flabbergasted.
“You want to go from broken up to living together? I don’t understand, Marissa. Why would you want that? Why would you thinkIwould want that?”
“Because, Kyle!” she cries out, reaching for me, but I step out of the way. “I’ve come to realize that other men aren’t considerate like you. Or thoughtful. Kind. Sweet. The list goes on and on, babe!”
She’s getting upset, and my feelings are already tangled up enough, I don’t need to add my ex-girlfriend to the mix.
Fuck!
“My dad loves you, and he’s been so mad at me for losing his favorite pickleball partner. Because now Mom’s trying to learn how to play, and it’s just been an utter disaster. She nearly sprained her ankle last weekend.Kyle, please.This was all just one big mistake. A misunderstanding really.”
She’s trying to guilt trip me, using the relationship I had with her parents against me. I take a deep breath, ready to lay it out there. “Marissa I?—”
“I know you want a family, Kyle.”
My eyes dart up, wide and unblinking.
“Think about it, this could be the very start of it all. The beginning of our fairy tale—just like our parents.”
Marissa’s mom and dad were high school sweethearts, just like mine. We’ve had long conversations about our dreams of one day getting married, buying a house, and having a family of our own.
