AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why not?”
“She’ll break my heart, like Amber did…only worse. I thought Kiera wanted me for me. But she only wants what I can provide. And like an idiot I gave it to her.”
“Money?”
“No.” The way I feel now, I’d gladly give her my wallet if she’d come back to me.
“Was she sleeping with another guy?”
“No, but I should have known she would never give a shit about me.”
“Are you sure about that? Have you two talked?”
“Why bother? There’s nothing to say.”
“Why bother?” He gapes at me, then shakes his head. “Why do you do that?”
I turn to him, scowling. “Do what?”
“Every time someone tries to get close to you, you push them away.”
“What are you talking about? I’m not doing anything. Kiera genuinely doesn’t give a shit about me.”
“I think you’re wrong. When your sister suggested something was up between you two, I started watching you both. The way Kiera looks at you… I’m convinced she has feelings for you—deep ones. Are you so determined to stand in the way of your own happiness, you refuse to risk yourself again and give anyone a real chance?”
“She used me for sex, okay?” That’s the best way I can explain the truth to Jake without divulging Kiera’s secrets. “That’s it.”
He slants me a dubious glare. “Let’s say you’re right, that she only saw you as a great time between the sheets. What did you fucking expect? You’ve set those boundaries with every woman the last couple of years. Why are you frustrated with Kiera when you’re the one who told her not to get attached? And how do you know the sex didn’t affect her the same way it affected you?”
“Because she told me to my face.”
Jake raises a brow. “She said that you were nothing but a stiff cock and a good time?”
“Not in so many words, but that was the gist. Why does it matter to you?”
“Because I want my best friend to be happy, goddamn it. You know what I think?”
“You’re going to tell me whether or not I want to hear it.”
“Damn straight, smart ass. I think you’re running from whatever you two could have because you’re afraid of history repeating itself. Am I right?”
“Shut up.”
“Iamright. I’m also right about the fact you don’t want to lose her, but because you’re afraid of getting hurt, you’re letting her go like a stupid assclown?”
“What the fuck is an assclown?”
“Focus. Are you hearing yourself? You either want to be with her or you don’t.”
“You don’t get it.”
“Oh, I get it completely. You’re being a coward,” he snaps. “Amber is your past. She shouldn’t have power over you anymore, but you keep letting her win.”
“No, I don’t. This has nothing to do with her. I haven’t spoken to, much less seen, that bitch in two years.”
“Yes. You. Do. You’re letting your broken engagement with her determine all your relationships without ever giving them a chance to grow.”
His words not only resonate, they cut deep. I’m still not sure whether to choose my heart or my insecurity. I don’t want to lose Kiera. But at the very least, I owe her an apology.
