Page 25 of For One Night

“Me too.” I give her an easy grin, although it’s anything but.

I close the door, locking it behind me so she can’t walk in as easily. Rubbing the back of my neck, I make my way into the kitchen where the guys are sitting. I have no doubt what they’re going to say, but I also have no choice in hearing it.

“What the actual fuck?” Lachlan’s eyes are round with disbelief. “What did you do to her?”

“I didn’t touch her!” I throw my hands in the air as my face heats.

One shakes his head. “We never thought you had. He’s asking what made her flip.”

I lower my arms and fall into the chair across from them. “Honestly, I’m not sure.”

“I am of no help when it comes to this. Monty acts the exact same way, and I’m at a loss what to do myself.” One sits back in his chair.

Lachlan laces his fingers behind his head. “Gentlemen, you both need to step back and take a long, hard look at what’s going on, what you want, and what needs to happen.”

“No shit, Sherlock.”

“Would you want your parents to witness this? No, you would not.” Lachlan leans forward, placing his hands on the table. “It’s like this, what you allow will continue. You’ve become complicit.”

One glares at him. “How’s that? I don’t want her acting the way she does, but I’m not going to treat her the way she acts.”

“Neither of you call them on their shit! You both back down because you don’t want a scene.” Lachlan’s head swings between us. “I can’t tell you what to do. I understand you may think you love them, but that in itself is an issue.”

“Tell us how you really feel, brother.”

He pushes his sleeves up. “Fine, I will. If any woman witnessed her friend going through what you just did, she’d tell her to pack and run. It’s no different because you’re men. Abuse, mental or physical, is just that—abuse.”

“I’m not being abused, Lachlan.”

One nods. “Me either, that’s insane.”

“What? Neither of you were taught to not hit people? To keep your hands to yourself? How about manipulation? Or verbal abuse? There are common signs. Don’t ignore them because you’re a man.” Lachlan slams his drink back. “You’re both in a volatile relationship.”

My shoulders slump. Not in defeat, I know he’s right. “You’re right. I love Robin, but I can’t do this anymore. She twists my every word, and I’m tired of being in the middle of her dislike of you.”

“Why would anyone want someone they love to choose them over their family?” One drops his head. “Montgomery keeps insisting we get married after graduation.”

“Married?” Lachlan and I say in unison.

He raises his brows. “Mom wants me to take over my family business, Monty wants to settle down, and I’m over here with my head spinning.”

“Robin wants me to propose while we’re in Scotland,” I mumble.

“I’m not surprised.” Lachlan openly gapes at me. “You really need to think this through. That’s all I’m saying.”

“There’s only one way I’d get married now…” One runs his hand over his face.

Lachlan’s mouth hangs. “She’s not?”

“She says she is, but I’m not so sure.” One falls forward, banging his head on the table.

I fist my hair as my pulse races. Just thinking about One is making me crazy. “I can’t do this. I have to break it off.”

“Better now instead of trying to remember if you used a condom every time.” One scratches his face.

“I don’t know. Robin’s so manipulative I wouldn’t put anything past her to keep us together.” I stand, taking my phone out of my pocket. Lachlan’s buzzes at the same time.

“Mom.” He looks up at me.