Page 80 of We End With Us

His gaze darts to his feet, working his teeth over his lip, he slowly lifts his gaze to mine.

“You need to tell her, Bass. Besides, you know it doesn’t matter now,” he says.

“It does, I still lied about it,” I say.

“No more secrets,” he continues before he walks away leaving me alone with my thoughts running rampant.

Bringing myself to a sitting position, I know what I have to do, know most likely she'll feel disgusted by me and possibly want to slap me, but King is right, no more secrets.

The others are all eating breakfast when I finally make it downstairs. Nova jumps up, running up to me, and wrapping her arms around my neck. Placing a soft kiss to my jaw, she looks up at me with complete fucking awe and it kills me.

Because I'm about to break her damn heart—again.

“I grew up believing I was your cousin,” I whisper. Nova takes a step back, her arms falling from my neck to her sides, her eyes widen slightly before I watch her throat swallow.

My throat constricts as I watch every emotion play out on her face. She’s blinking back tears as she steps further away from me, wrapping her arms around her body, Nova looks to her feet then back to me.

“What do you mean you grew up believing?” she asks me.

“It’s so fucking hard to explain, I always believed we were related, and I kept it from you because I was afraid—”

“So you hid this from me in hopes I wouldn’t hate you,” she asks. I nod because it’s the truth.

Before I have a chance to explain, she’s turning and sprinting from the house with the door banging behind her.

Cass and Jordy chase after her calling her name, while King comes toward me, lifting his arm and placing his hand on my shoulder.

“She just needs a moment,” he assures me, but I know better, I know Nova, no matter how many explanations I give her, she won't trust me again.

I’ve ruined it, I fucked up and made her fall in love with me regardless knowing what I knew.

King looks over his shoulder, then back to me. I nod. “Go, she needs you more than I do right now.” He frowns, hesitating, but then walks out leaving me behind.

I keep hurting the people I love, keep messing things up. I don’t want to keep fucking everything up, they need each other more than they need me. Some part of me will always wish I could give them more, but I can’t, and I can’t promise that my past won’t keep interfering even if he’s gone.

I know there’s no coming back from this, I won't survive knowing Nova hates me, that she won’t be able to look at me because of the biggest secret I kept from her, but I’m not going to drag them all down with me, this is my mistake, my undoing.

I’m not giving her a choice, I’m making it for her, them over me, it’s that simple.

Nova had finally calmeddown enough to come back inside, Bass had to explain it all, he’d left out a major fucking part.

I was surprised to find him sitting where we left him, his leg bouncing, head dipped between his legs.

King touches his shoulder, surprising him.

He glances at Nova, who keeps her distance. Cass slips an arm around her back, tugging her close to his side. He bends whispering something into her ear, she nods once but stays by his side.

Bass’ gaze filters between all of us, unshed tears visible as he begins to fidget.

“I think it’s best if I leave,” he says out loud.

“The fuck,” King growls, gripping his chin and forcing his gaze on his.

Bass forces his grip loose and stands. “ I keep messing things up.” Bass’ voice comes out all gruff.

The truth slams into my gut, Bass thinks he’s ruined things.

With his jaw locked, King grips Bass’ arm as he sidesteps him.

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