Page 107 of F*ckboys

Aksel chuckles, a low, intimate sound that makes my pulse leap. "That’s a real thing? Oh yeah, that’s right, it’s the place Bronson and Wren used to meet up. I remember him telling me about that. It's a date. I'll see you then, Fallon."

"See you then," I echo softly.

The call ends, but I stand there smiling at my phone. Tomorrow, everything will change. Tomorrow, I'll show Aksel the truth of my heart.

And this time, there will be no turning back.

Chapter 60

Fallon

The intercom buzzes, jerking me from my daze. I tap into the app on my phone and see a familiar face: Link. Why the hell is he here? My brother hasn’t visited since I first moved in and the family dinner was moved here for a one-off housewarming. That evening was a complete disaster, so I wouldn't expect him to come rushing back. And it's not as if we're exactly on friendly terms.

I punch the button, annoyance prickling under my skin. "What do you want?"

“Just let me up. It’s important.” For once, there's no hint of malice in his voice. He sounds serious and tired. Still, I'm skeptical.

I reluctantly buzz him in and soon hear footsteps approaching in the hallway. I open the front door in anticipation of his arrival.

He strides through the door, eyes shadowed. The cocky grin I'm accustomed to is nowhere to be found.

Unease curls in my gut. Link is never serious.

"We need to talk." His voice is rough gravel, not the typical polished tone.

I fold my arms, struggling to ignore the dread gathering in my chest. "Spit it out."

He sighs. "Look, I'm really sorry, but I haven't been entirely honest with you."

I narrow my eyes at him. What could he possibly have been hiding from me? After all, he's fairly transparent about the fact he's a complete jerk.

"I know I said I called the private investigator off, but I didn't," he frowns. "Before you get upset, let me explain. I had a niggling feeling that maybe all wasn't as it seemed with Aksel, and my protective big brother instincts kicked in. I know we have our problems, but deep down I care about you very much."

I stare at him, emotions churning. Anger at his intrusion wars with gratitude that he cares enough to look out for me. "And what did you find out?" I attempt to keep my voice calm, measured, but I hear myself waver.

He holds up a photo. My heart stutters. No. Please no.

I snatch it from his hands. Aksel and Mia, wrapped around each other in an intimate hug. I recognize the house in the background as Mia's home.

What the hell? This can't be. They barely know each other, just ghosts that walked past each other now and then back in high school. And here they are, in photo evidence, in an intimate embrace outside her place.

The photo slips through numb fingers, drifting to the floor.

Betrayal rips through me, savage and burning. I trusted him. Believed his lies and empty promises. And I trusted her as well.

How could I be so stupid?

My eyes narrow as I turn to face Link. "You had no right," I say tightly. "You're probably enjoying the shit out of this schadenfreude moment."

"No, I'm not." He frowns, his mouth set in a thin line that conceals the plump lips his little girlie fans go crazy for. "But I can assure you I'm getting no satisfaction from this. I just wasn't going to stand by while he played you for a fool." Link's jaw clenches. "You deserve the truth, even if it hurts."

"The truth." I laugh harshly. "You've never cared about the truth before."

"I care about you," he says softly. "Aksel's charming act may have fooled you, but I saw through it from the start. He's all wrong for you, Fallon. Always has been."

His words bring out my defensiveness. They make me feel like he was watching, judging from afar. "You don't get to decide that." I'm trembling, torn between lashing out and clinging to him. Paralyzed with indecision, instead I laugh, the sound jagged. "Don't pretend you care. This is what you wanted, isn't it? To prove you were right about him."

"I never wanted this for you." He reaches for my arm. I jerk away.

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