Page 38 of Love You From Afar

Now that I really think about it, it’s all so messed up. I committed to spending the rest of my existence with a man that I’m sure doesn't know something as basic as my favorite color.

I hang my head, choosing not to reply to Everett because what the hell am I going to say?I’m marrying your brother because it’s a safe, comfortable option.

No.No, thank you. I’ve already humiliated myself enough as it is.

“I need another drink. Excuse me,” I say, sliding out of the booth as I head for the bar.

I know our waitress will be stopping by soon, but I can’t sit here any longer. I need an excuse to get away from this table. Even though my back is to him, I can feel Everett’s eyes blazing a hole through me with every step I take.

THIRTEEN

Everett

When Skylar finally returns to the table, she takes a gulp of her drink before slamming it down. She bites into her burger, refusing to make eye contact with me.

She’s pissed, but at least she’s eating now.

I decide to keep my mouth shut for a few minutes so she can eat in peace, but we’re far from done with this conversation. At this point, I don’t care if it’s out of line to ask about her relationship. Elliot’s my brother, and I know single-handedly what a piece of shit he is.

This isn’t about the fact that she chose him over me. It isn’t because I still think about her every damn day. More often than not, I’ve despised the ground that Skylar Wood walks on. But there was one night when I worshiped it. One night when she let me in, and because of that, I’ll feel this primal need to protect her until the day I’m buried six feet under.

She’s better than this. She’s better than marrying a man who doesn’t even have the decency to send her a fucking text while she’s traveling through a winter storm. It’s taking everything in me to not call Elliot right now and tell him how worthless he is. I hope to God she doesn't text or call him first because I’m curious to see how long it takes him to finally reach out.

My stomach twists at the thought that Skylar is used to this behavior from him. I wouldn't be surprised if she is. She should be arriving at his hotel room within the next couple of hours, and he has no idea that she’s staying with me.

She’s sitting across the table fromme, looking so damn sexy. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her if I tried…Hell, nobody can. I’ve sat here and watched her turn every head in this bar. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on is having dinner withme, yet her fiancé couldn’t give two shits about where she is. If she was mine, I wouldn’t care if my brother was a fucking priest, I would lose my shit if she was alone with him like this.

Her phone lights up, vibrating against the wooden table. I immediately wonder if it’s Elliot. As if she can read my thoughts, she unlocks her phone before flashing me a sad smile.

“It’s just a text from my sister… She’s asking how the trip is going.” The bright screen shines across her smooth skin, highlighting her melancholy expression. Her fingers fly across the screen as she texts back.

I don’t know if it’s the pain etched across her face, the way my heart is breaking for her, or my absolute disdain for my brother, but I shock myself with what I say next. I’m breaking my own rules by bringing this up, but I don’t care anymore. When it comes to me and Skylar, we’ve been breaking the rules since we met.

It’s kind of our thing.

“You know what I’ve thought about the most since that night?”

Her ocean eyes snap to mine and time seems to stop.

“Every day since that night, I’ve wondered what you thought about me,” I rasp. “Every night I lay in bed, asking myself if you woke up the next morning absolutely disgusted by me. Disgusted by a man who would come on to his brother’s girlfriend. I mean, who does that to their own brother, right?” I swallow the lump in my throat, trying to find the right words to say what I’ve wanted to tell her for years.

“I thought we weren’t talking about the past—” Her eyes search mine, her voice trembling.

“I made the rules, I can break them,” I say sharply.

“Of course you can,” she says under her breath.

“Tell me you don’t want to hear what I have to say. Tell me you want me to stop, and I won’t say another word.”If she’s not ready to hear this, then I’ll respect that.

She leans forward, resting her chin in her palm. She arches a brow as if to say, “Continue”.

That’s what I thought.

I take a deep breath, holding her stare.

“I should hate myself for betraying my own brother like that, but I don’t,” I shake my head. “I’ve tried to feel remorse for what I did that night, but I don’t. You probably think I’m a heartless bastard, and I’m not here to convince you otherwise. I just need you to knowwhyI did what I did. That was the first and only time I had ever cheated in my entire life, and I willingly did it knowing you were my brother’s girl.”

“Everett…” She rasps. “What happened that night was a two-way street. You’ve been beating yourself up over this for years when I knew exactly what I was doing. It wasn't all you. If anything, I’m just as guilty as you… if not more.”

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