Page 104 of Delightful Sins

“If you still loved me, then where were you!”

My sudden scream keeps everyone silent. I’m doing it again, losing my cool, letting rage take over.

“Where were you when my dad killed himself, Ethan? Where were you,four. Fucking. Monthsafter our breakup? Did you forget me that easily? How close I was to him? Where were you when I cried and buried him? Where were you when I was holding my mom in my arms after each round of chemo, when she let herself give up because she missed him so much andIwas the one who had to stay strong.”

My voice breaks. Like every time I scream, my lungs empty. “Because Elliot was there. He held me and he wiped away my tears. He held my hand while my dad’s body was lowered into the ground.”

I bring a shaking hand to my hair, gripping the roots and resisting the urge to pull every single one out. “You can break up with me, you can destroy my heart, but you can’tabandonsomeone you love when they need you the most. So if you still loved me then, and you still love me now, tell me. Tell me where you were.”

I’m ready for him to demolish me all over again. When I met Ethan, I wasn’t whole. Our jagged pieces didn’t even fit together until we polished them, reshaped them, and melted them together.

He smashed the masterpiece we had built and crushed the shards until they turned to dust.

And he dares say he’s still in love with me?

No.

I refuse.

I want the truth. I want to hear from his mouth that he was nowhere special. At home, in his bedroom, making music. Throwing my stuff away. With another girl.Unbothered.

“Crack me open and stomp on my heart, Ethan. Once and for all, let’s end this. Do it. Tell me the truth.”

With eyes reflecting a broken soul, his gaze goes to Elliot behind me.

“Do you see what you’ve done?” he tells him, his voice barely audible.

When his brother doesn’t answer, he looks at me again. “Why don’t you ask him why I wasn’t there for you.”

He doesn’t stay to hear the truth. Elliot won’t bother saying it anyway.

What a great start to his birthday.

28

JADE

Strange Love - Halsey

The party is raging. Of course it is. It’s Ethan’s birthday.

I’m back in Elliot’s room now. My head is spinning from changing brothers’ rooms. I should get my own so I can sleep soundly when they’re both being assholes.

Staring at my phone screen, I bite my lower lip.

Is it possible to be in love with two people at the same time?

Who the fuck googles that?

I startle when the door opens and delete my research. Locking my phone, I look up at Elliot.

He’s biting his lower lip, looking at me like I’m his next meal.

“I really have great taste.” His eyes go to my thighs.

I’m wearing a black vinyl miniskirt that he chose, and knee-high socks held by thigh ring garters. They’re made of faux leather and have a heart each at the front, the rest of the bands covered by spiked studs.

Instead of wearing one of his t-shirts, I’m wearing a black bandeau to cover my boobs and a fishnet mesh crop top.

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