Page 187 of Treacherous
They burrow underneath my skin, invading my bloodstream to find their home: my heart.
I gasp. “I’m in love with your brother.” The words taste foreign leaving my lips.
I smile, watching as Jaz does the same. “Took you long enough,”
“Oh no,” The reality of my words slams into me.
“What?” Jaz says, worry lacing her tone.
“I’m inlovewith Jayden Allen,”
Jaz’s shoulders drop, a breath of relief falling from her mouth. Then, she breaks into laughter.
“Hey, this is serious,” I say, unable to hide my smile. “How did this even happen?”
“Well, in my experience, sometimes you don’t know it’s love. The concept is difficult to understand and hard to put into words when you tend to think things through logically. Then, I truly saw the little things Theo would do for me. And not because he had to, because he wanted to.”
I smile, thinking back to my moments with Jayden. He does those little things too and I fucking love it. I love him.
“So, all I’m hearing is we will officially be sisters.”
I chuckle, but my smile falters. “That’s if I can convince Jayden to take me back,”
“Ha! That’s hilarious,”
“What?”
“Willow,” Jaz says softly. “My brother is obsessed with you. Trust me, you have nothing to worry about. Just tell him how you feel,”
I shake my head. “No, that’s not enough." I swallow, my gaze falling to the floor as I mutter. "He deserves more.”
***
Ipark my car out the front of the Hockey House, sitting in the silence. How to get Jayden to forgive me?
I meant what I said to Jaz. I want to tell him–no,showhim we belong be together. I don’t grovel, especially for men.
After talking to Jaz, she reminded me of something. I never needed a man to define my worth, but somehow over the past few years, that’s what I’ve done. In saying that, if Jayden asked me to get on my knees and beg, I would. Not very feminist of me, I know.
Swallowing, I gain the strength to enter the house. The door creaks, echoing into the darkness, while every stair groans under my feet. I stop in my tracks as I hit the second floor. Jayden is lingering in the space between our bedrooms, hands reaching for my door.
Hope grows in my chest. Maybe he is waiting for me? The air is tense and silence all-consuming, but I can’t look away. Jayden moves first, turning toward his room.
“Jayden, wait.” I say, grabbing his wrist.
He faces me, with a heaving chest and straight lips. “Yes?”
Fuck. What do I say? I wasn’t prepared for the moment to happen so quickly. “I–I want to say sorry for running away.” My voice is shaky, but as I look into Jayden’s eyes, my fears begin to melt and my racing heart slows. “And that, I’m going to win you back. I want you to be mine,”
Jayden jerks back, surprised at my comment. His mouth opens, forming an O, yet he says nothing.
I put my hands up. “You don’t have to say anything now, just know that I’m going to show you what you mean to me.”
Jayden offers a soft smile and I want to jump up and down. Better yet, run into his arms and stay there forever. But I don’t.
I turn on my heels, forcing myself into my room. I fall asleep with ease for the first time in weeks, despite the excitement flowing through my body like tomorrow is Christmas Day.
Chapter 34
