Page 42 of Give My Everything
Can she tell just by looking at me that I’m lying?
Because it feels like everyone can tell. Like it’s stamped on my forehead.
“I know how it feels to be overwhelmed by change,” she says.
“You don’t know enough about my life to try to give me advice.”
I can feel her recoil at my snappish attitude, and I instantly regret it. But I stay silent, wishing she would leave.
Clearly she belongs out there with them. She’s more like family than I’ll ever be. It doesn’t matter whether or not Ben tells them we’re getting married. I’m just…not.
“I also know what it feels like to want to push away people who are nice to you because you don’t feel like you deserve it.”
My eyes fly up to hers, my nostrils flaring.
“I’ll be honest, I’m in a tough spot. Your ex is my brother. I’m dating one of his closest friends.” She pauses. “But something tells me not a lot of people have been nice to you in life, Remmy. I’ve been there. Iknowhow it feels to be…the unwanted one.”
My eyes close and I pray to any god who will listen that my eyes don’t brim with tears. They do anyway.
“Nobody deserves it.Nobody.”
The ferocity in her voice has me opening my eyes to finally look at her.
“I’d like to try to be your friend…if you’ll let me.”
When I continue to stay silent, she steps forward and squeezes my bicep in some sort of…I don’t know, attempt to show care?
“Think about it.”
And then she leaves the bathroom. Leaves me standing there alone to think over everything she just said.
I brace myself on the counter and look at my reflection in the mirror, wondering what it is about me that screamsunwanted. Because if Hannah can see it—someone I’ve just met for the first time tonight—surely everyone else can see it, too.
CHAPTER8
BEN
“Okay, what the fuck is going on?”
Wyatt asks his question in a rush the second Hannah leaves the table, following Remmy to the bathroom.
Instead of responding, I reach across my untouched plate and grab my glass of whiskey.
“You’re engaged to fucking RemmyWallace? Are you serious right now? Because the last time I checked, you’re not supposed to marry someone like that.”
My eyes narrow at Wyatt, and I swear I’d grab him by the throat if we weren’t sitting in this dining room right now, surrounded by people who make this town run and work with our parents.
“Don’t youeversay something like that again. Do you hear me?”
His head jerks back at my tone. Understandable.
I don’t get angry at my brother. I doubt I’ve ever even used that aggressive tone with him before.
But whether I love Remmy or not, I willnotallow someone else to talk about my future wife like that.
Or any woman, for that matter.
“You’re right,” he says, his gaze dropping. “That was too far.”
