Page 107 of The Forbidden
“Harrison,” I greet, sliding my hands into my pants pockets.
His jaw clenches, and he eyes me like I’m no more than shit on his shoe. “Maxwell.” He spits my name like it’s poison.
I sigh, and head to the private elevator, throwing over my shoulder. “If that’s all… I have somewhere to be.”
“Wait,” he grates out, catching up to me. “We need to talk.”
Arching I brow, I stare at him. “About?”
“You know damn fucking well what this is about,” he barks out, eyes narrowing.
My jaw tightens, nostrils flaring. I exhale, trying to tamp down my rising anger. Sweeping my arm toward the now open elevator, I drawl, “After you.”
My best friend rolls his eyes, but steps inside. I climb in after him, hitting the button for my penthouse. The silence is deafening, the tension suffocating as we ascend. And when the doors finally open to my entryway, it’s a relief.
“Beer? Scotch?” I ask, placing my keys down on the entry table.
“Beer’s fine,” he grunts.
Harrison glances around my apartment as if he’s seeing it for the first time, his jaw clenching when his eyes go to my bedroom door. I can only imagine the thoughts playing in his head.
In the kitchen, I grab and open our drinks, handing him a cold beer. We both take a seat at the breakfast counter. Silence stretches as I wait for him to talk. And then he finally speaks. “I hate you for putting your dick anywhere near my little sister.” Grimacing at his crude words, I take a sip of my beer. He sighs, scrubbing a hand down his face. “Out of every woman in this city, begging for a piece oftheEvan Maxwell, why Anais?”
It’s an honest question, and truthfully, I owe him an explanation. “If it’s any consolation, I never meant for it to happen.” I exhale. “Resisting Anais became second nature to me. But then something switched.” Meeting his eyes, I tell him truthfully. “At first it was just… casual,” I say, not wanting to use the word fucking. His lips twist up in disgust, his jaw clenching as he takes a pull of his beer. “Then somewhere along the line, it became more. You might not believe me, given my history, but this wasn’t just a fling. I love her, man.” I sigh, preparing myself to show the extent of that love. “And I know we’ve been friends since we were babies, but don’t make me choose between you, because I’ll choose her. I should’ve chosen her from the moment things changed.”
Harrison sighs, studying my face and searching for any hint of a lie. He won’t find one. “Jesus Fucking Christ,” he groans, rubbing his jaw. “I’m not going to sit here and tell you I’m okay with it, because I’m not. Honestly, the thought of you with your filthy hands anywhere near my sister makes me sick.” He shudders as if to prove a point. “But she’s back on campus and miserable.” I swallow, as an ache radiates through my chest at the mention of her being unhappy. I never want that. “So, I need you to fix it.”
“I will.” I vow.
He pins me with a serious look, and I know whatever he says next will be non-negotiable. “I just want you to promise me one thing.” I nod, silently asking him to continue. “Please don’t take her to Elite. I can’t stand the thought of my little sister in that place with you, doing God knows what.”
I bark out a laugh, lifting my beer to clink his. “You have my word.” Christ, the thought of sharing Anais, of some other man’s eyes on her makes my vision turn red.
His face twists up in a scowl. “I know all about your proclivities, and what you’re into. I’ve seen it.” He pales. “You even think of bringing Anais there, I’ll fucking kill you, Maxwell. I mean it.”
Chuckling, I shake my head. “I promise; you have nothing to worry about. The only time I have been to Elite in the past couple of months was the night you were with that blonde. And I only had a drink.”
He nods, taking a sip of his beer. No more words are said, but a silent understanding passes between us. A truce of sorts. Something settles inside me, and I realize that as much as I love Anais, my friendship with Harrison is also important. Iexhale some of the tension from the last couple of weeks, letting go of the uncertainty.
Despite the slight friction lingering, I know everything will be okay between us.
“I’m getting married,” he says casually, as if he is talking about the weather and not a life changing event.
I choke on my beer. “What?”
Harrison’s lips twitch in amusement, as he claps a hand down on my shoulder. “Oh, Maxwell. You’ve missed a whole lot these last couple of weeks.”
Chapter 46
Anais
The fall semester has officially begun. Last week, I moved back into the campus apartment I share with Lana. It’s been three weeks since everything happened with Evan. And after the initial texts and phone calls from him, there’s been nothing. No more messages. No DMs. No emails. No phone calls. Not even a damn carrier pigeon.
I guess he really is done with me.
I tried asking Harrison if Evan was okay, but he shut the conversation down fast. I understand why. His little sister and his best friend. It’s a complicated situation, especially when my brother knows exactly who Evan is. He and his friends have spent many years treating the city like it’s their own personal playground – sleeping around and discarding the women just as quick.
Harrison doesn’t want that for me.
