Page 93 of Just Breathe

“Oh… well… with…”

Jane laughed, interrupting Nate. “Gosh, Nathan, I don’t need an explanation if you slept with her. I’ve been curious if all of you shared her together or how that worked.”

I should be excited that she sounds curious instead of repulsed. This is what we’ve talked about, what we hoped for, and now all that filled me was fucking dread. We can’t do this, not after the incident with Lucio, not after he looked at her the way he did. I was twenty thousand more in debt, and the way things were going, it didn’t look like he was going to give me up anytime soon.

“Do all of you share her at the same time?” I felt Jane turn to Nate. She knew he would give her answers.

Fuck. Sleeping with Jane was a mistake. I shouldn’t have done it, and I shouldn’t have let Nate join us. I can’t bring her into my fucked-up shit and I definitely couldn’t put her in danger.

I got up quickly, feeling angry at this whole fucking situation. The one time I find something I am happy about or truly want, the world fucks it up for me.

“I was thinking of making some tacos. You guys hungry?” Jane looked up at me with those beautiful hazel eyes. I stopped for a moment to soak her in one last time before I cut ties. We could have had something amazing. We had something amazing, even if it was only for a short time.

“No, I have things to do,” I snapped, letting my anger out a little so she could back off. “Actually, we have things to do.” I glared at Nate, hoping he would get the hint.

“No, I think I’ll stay right here. I don’t need to leave.” He gave me a look like, what the fuck was I doing?

Jane looked like she had whip lash from my attitude. “If you have to work, I can whip something else up really quick. So you guys can take on the road.” She gave me a small smile as she got up from the bed.

“I don’t want food. We gotta go.” I glared at him as I pulled my pants up and then buttoned them up.

Jane stare at me for a moment before retreating to the bathroom. I took a breath and kept getting ready. I could do this.

“What the fuck do you think you are doing?” Nathan growled at me.

“We gotta go.” I put my shoes on, not wanting to talk about this here. “Please, Nate,” I added because I knew he was a sucker for niceties, and he knew I meant business when I used them.

“Fucking hell.” Nate got dressed. I walked out of the room, not handling the smell of us in the air and if I didn’t leave, I wouldn’t be able to walk out of here. It was killing me to do this, and I felt like shit after what we just did.

I went to the kitchen to wait for Nate, hoping Jane didn’t come out again. I was about to leave when I heard both of them coming down the hallway.

“Well, I hope you guys have a great rest of your day.” I turned to see Jane in a robe, looking up at Nathan as he bent down to give her a kiss. She gave him a quick kiss when Nathan clearly wanted to give her more. She looked over at me, giving me a fake smile.

“Maybe we can have dinner,” Nathan suggested, looking a little confused.

“I actually work today and a few nights this week,” she responded, moving away from him. “I should probably nap before my shift tonight.” It was a dismissal that didn’t need explaining. She was shutting down on us and as much as I wanted this, it didn’t sting any less.

“Ok.” Nathan tried not to look hurt. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” he added, trying to salvage something.

“Alright, sounds good.” She smiled again, looking fake as hell.

Before walking out, I looked at her one last time before turning around and heard Nathan follow me. I jumped in the Bronco, not waiting for Nathan, driving home on autopilot, and I didn’t even remember half the drive, but when I arrived, all I wanted to do was get drunk and pass the fuck out. I barely made it out of the car before I was suckered punched back into the driver’s side.

“Thanks a lot, man! You just had to ruin it when I thought you were trying to fix it. Make up your fucking mind!” I looked up to see Nathan glaring at me like he wanted to kill me.

“I made my mind up but….” I straightened out and closed the door, rubbing my jaw from where he hit me. “I went over there to end it or put a stop to whatever this was, but we argued and shit went south really quick.”

“So, you thought with your dick, then? Thought you would get it one more time while Aiden and I didn’t even get a chance with her. That’s fucking great, Cal,” he yelled at me.

“Fuck you, man,” I snarled at him. “I didn’t want this to happen.”

“Then why are you letting it or are just being a fucking pussy about this?” he shouted in my face.

“She’s in danger, you idiot.” I pushed him away, hating the feeling of being cornered.

“You guys used to be in the special forces! Who else is better to protect her?” He pushed me back. “She’s perfect for us and you’re ruining it!

“That’s bullshit!” I pushed him back again, but with more force, feeling my stitches tug. “It would be a matter of time before one of our fucked-up lives ruined the relationship.”

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