Page 99 of The Forbidden
“Nothing’s going on.” Evan drawls nonchalantly. My fists clench. God give me strength. I’m going to fucking kill him. “Anais is just being her usual bratty self because things didn’t go her way.”
“Anais,” my brother prompts, wanting confirmation.
My whole body deflates. With every second that passes, it becomes clear Evan isn’t going to choose me. He’s made that painfully clear. His loyalty and friendship to my brother mean more to him than I do. I scoff silently. I don’t know why I expected anything different.
Finally, my eyes meet Harrison’s. I ignore the other guys and the wide-eyed half-dressed women lingering. It’s because of one of them putting pictures on social media that I’m here.
So much for fucking boys’ night.
“Evan just pissed me off is all.” I say robotically, glancing at the asshole. There’s a flicker of relief in his eyes, knowing I’m going along with this farce. I look back to my brother. “He embarrassed me at work. I wanted an apology. But I realize now, I won’t get one.” I step toward my brother, placing a hand on his bicep and squeezing gently. “I’m sorry I ruined your night.”
Harrison’s eyes soften, but I see the suspicion in his eyes as his gaze shifts to someone behind me – no doubt Evan. A tense moment passes, and I swallow down my anxiety. When Harrison’s gaze comes back to me, I exhale. Harrison smiles, pulling his phone from his pocket. “Come on, I’ll have Henry take you home.”
All the fight drains out of me, leaving a puddle of heartbreak at my feet. When we started this arrangement, I thought I could make Evan love me. I thought I could change him. I was wrong. Turns out, I am exactly who Evan thought me to be. A delusional girl chasing after a boy who never wanted her. Not really.
The realization, though a slap to the face, is a humbling experience. One I never want to repeat.
“Thank you,” I whisper, my throat tight with emotion.
Harrison nods curtly, wrapping an arm around my waist as if he knows I need the support. As he leads me to the door, I stop, looking up at him. He frowns, confused. I force a smile, then glance over my shoulder, meeting Evan’s gaze.
“Oh, and by the way.” He stares at me, as I stare back. “I quit.”
If I wasn’t watching so closely, I would’ve missed the flash of what can only be described as devastation in his eyes. He quickly blinks it away, that same infuriating mask of indifference locking into place. I fucking hate it. These last couple of weeks, I have seen a side of Evan Maxwell most people could only dream of. But as if we never happened, the cold, cruel man returns. The one who took my virginity and my heart and smashed it into tiny little fragmented pieces that I’ll never be able to glue back together.
“Come on,” my brother mutters, leading me out his door and to the elevator. He hits the button, then turns to face me. “What the hell was that, Anais?”
“I already told you.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, his eyes narrow. “I don’t buy it. You wouldn’t show up here like a madwoman just because that asshole offended you at work.” He shakes his head, blowing out a breath. “Did something happen between you two?”
My heart stalls in my chest. It sounds more like an accusation than a question. Still, I deny it. What’s the point of causing a rift between my brother and his best friend, when this thing between us is over. “No.”
He scans my face, searching for any sign of a lie. But if there’s one thing being around Evan has taught me, it’s how to shut down my emotions so people can’t see what I’m really feeling.
“Okay,” he finally responds just as the elevator doors slide open.
Normally, I’d panic about getting in. But right now, all I feel is numb. Stepping inside, I flash him a forced smile. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Slipping his hands into his pockets, he nods. “Sure, sis.”
The doors close, hiding me from Harrison’s inquisitive stare.
I slump back against the mirrored wall, and it’s only then I let the first tear fall.
After Henry drops me at my apartment, I text Lana, begging her to come over.
She replies instantly.
Lana: I’m on my way!
Curled up on the couch, wrapped up like a burrito in a blanket, I finally allow myself to break. I embrace the pain, letting it stab every part of my body as I fall into it. I grieve the love story I thought I was living. A girl and her boss, her brother’s best friend. The forbidden little sister. It’s cliché. But I always did like things with a side of truism.
I thought I could change Evan. And maybe I live in a fantasy world, but I know what I felt, know what I saw on his face our last couple of times together.
And I know Evan felt it too. I will die on that hill.
There’s no doubt in my mind, Evan cares for me. But when it came down to it, he chose my brother over me. Sure, Harrison would be angry, but once he had time to process his best friend and his sister being together, I know he would havecome around. I’m sure Evan knew that, too. He just didn’t want to fight for me.
