Page 109 of Miss Trust

“You’ve already apologized.”

“I’ve never truly been sorry, and we both know it. I used the end to justify the means, supposing since you now have Teagan, you’d see I’d actually done the right thing. But I hadn’t. I hurt you. And for what it’s worth, I didn’t go through with the physical part. It was never going to happen, but regardless, I ruined our relationship. I should’ve let you make your own mistakes, and if one of them was to marry your ex, then so be it.”

He let out a long breath. “It sounds fucked up to say I’m thankful, but I am. If you hadn’t done what you did, I’d have made a huge mistake and stayed with Vanessa. I would’ve missed out on the love of my life, Teagan. I accept your apology, Chance. Our relationship isn’t ruined, just temporarily damaged, and on the road to healing.”

Hope bloomed in my chest. “Thank you.”

“Look, what I said about you and Tory, it was out of line. You two are adults—”

“You were right. I am selfish. And an asshole.”

He let out a long breath. “You can be, but you can also be the most generous person I know. I saw you in that room today with Kelsey. You put her first. There’s no reason if you wanted to pursue a relationship with Tory, you shouldn’t go for it.”

“I’m in love with her.” I wasn’t sure who was more surprised by my blurting out this admission, him or me.

“Holy crap,” he muttered, his eyes wide.

“Yep.”

“So you and Tory are together?”

“Nope. You know more about how I feel about her than she does.”

He chuckled. Despite my scowl, he didn’t stop.

“I see you’re enjoying my misery.”

“I’m sorry. Given all the tension from the last few hours, I kind of am. I thought you were immune to the heartache of us mere mortals.”

“Turns out I’m not. But I don’t know the first thing about relationships, and even if I decided I should take a shot, she doesn’t reciprocate my feelings.”

He frowned. “Why do you say that? What happened?”

It felt strange, yet satisfying, to ask my younger brother for advice. He stayed quiet while I filled him in on everything, from Vegas to the other night when Tory had basically told me to have a nice life.

“Sounds to me like you wanted her assurance before you were ready to offer the same in return. You expected her to be vulnerable while you didn’t put anything on the line.”

Lightbulb. “So it would seem.” Dammit. Quite a few things suddenly made sense to me. Tory had spent her entire life building up walls and fortifying herself against the next person who might hurt her. No way would she ever go first in admitting her feelings. “How did you know Teagan was the one?”

He smiled. “Because I can’t imagine my life without her in it every single day. She makes it easy to be myself. Flaws and all.”

I wondered if Tory could get past all of mine.

* * *

Joel metus at the house four hours later. He looked remarkably calm and put together for a man who was worried. Thankfully, Malik had landed in New York and was already moving out every stich of clothing, shoes, dishes, and furniture my sister wanted. The bastard would come home to a key on the counter next to her engagement ring and not a clue where she was. It was the ultimate fuck you. He’d never receive a drop of satisfaction in knowing how upset he’d made her.

“Where is she?” As soon as he came inside, Joel scanned the living room.

“She doesn’t wish to see you ever again.” Amusement laced Reid’s words.

Joel’s fists clenched. “Bullshit. I don’t believe you.”

No, a narcissist wouldn’t. I shrugged. “You can believe what you want, but it doesn’t make it true.”

“But I need to talk to her,” the asshole muttered.

“Oh, I think you’ve done enough talking. After all, the entire relationship has always been about you,” Reid commented.