Page 129 of The Jaded Notes

My hands tremble and my vision blurs. “You’re lying.”

“No, I’m not.” Bren weighs every word like it matters. “Cash told me Leon made him do it or else he would… I know what Leon was capable of. And I know Cash loves you more than his own life.”

I press my palms against my eyes, trying to stop the roomfrom spinning. Five years of anger and building my life around the certainty that Callum betrayed me. And now Bren’s telling me it was all orchestrated cruelty.

“Why are you telling me this now?”

“Because watching you move on over something that didn’t happen is killing me. And because Cash has spent years hating himself for something he never did. Maybe... Maybe it’s time you two figured this shit out.”

I let the silence stretch between us while my mind races through every interaction, every second of pain I’ve carried like a badge of honor. If Bren is telling the truth, then I’ve wasted five years hating the wrong person.

“Bren, it doesn’t matter. If it weren’t that, it would’ve been something else. If we were meant to be together, we would’ve found a way.”

“You don’t believe that.”

“Yes, I do.” I stand abruptly. “Because the alternative is that I’ve been living a lie for years. And knowing you had this information and withheld it from me… All my agony that you could’ve ended… I can’t handle this right now.”

“I’m sorry, Livianna.” Bren rises to his feet. “I vowed not to tell you. There was too much on the line.”

“Such as?”

“Our careers. I know that makes me a dick, but that’s the truth.”

I want to stomp out and tell him to fuck off, but I can’t because if he had told me, I never would’ve found Jax. Just as Jax always says, fate had other plans. All my hurt and anger fall away.

I fumble for my purse. “Believe it or not, I understand where you’re coming from.”

“Where are you going?”

“To my new place. Want to come? I could use the distraction.”

“Yeah, I haven’t seen enough of you, and I wanna make sure we’re cool.”

“Bren, we’re more than cool. Part of me thinks if it were written in the stars, Callum and I would’ve worked out. We can’t go back in time, so let me digest this and… I don’t know. Maybe it’s time I forgive Callum and live in peace for once.”

“Agreed. Besides, who’s saying fate isn’t still working behind the scenes?”

I think of Jax and can’t help but smile even though he was with that witch, Cindy, last night. I know my mom and dad set him up, but it still aggravates me.

“Come on, Bren. We’ve got a home to go see.”

The drive to Malibu passes in tense silence, both of us lost in thoughts too heavy for conversation. When I pull up to the gates of the beach house, Bren lets out a low whistle.

“This is your temporary pad?” He stares at the pristine mansion that’s far from a typical beach dwelling. “What kind of business is your guy in, exactly?”

“The kind that pays well.” I turn off the engine, but don’t move to get out. “I expected it to be amazing, but nothing like this. It’s beautiful.”

“It’s fucking gorgeous. And probably worth more than anything I’ll ever own.” Bren peers over at me. “You gonna pull into the driveway and show me inside?”

“I left the keys at home.” The lie slides out smoothly. “But we can check out the private beach.”

We make our way down to the sand, shoes in hand, and let the ocean breeze carry away some of the morning’s heavy revelations. The area is empty except for a few people taking strolls.

“So how’s he doing?” I glance at my brother. “Callum… Is he clean?”

Bren kicks at a piece of driftwood. “He’s sober and working out with me every day because apparently channelingrage into deadlifts is healthier than drowning in Jack Daniels. He’s better than he has been in a long time.”

“That’s good.” I mean it, even though my mind still spins as I try to come to terms with the truth. “What about…you know…dating?”