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He swallows roughly. “I just love you, Maya,” he whispers.
Tears begin to burn the backs of my eyes. “I know. And I love you, too.” It’s the first time I’ve said it since I’ve been back here. And it’s true—I do love him. I’m still so in love with him, but I’m also still hurting and healing from all the things he did to me when we were together. “It’s not my intention to hurt you, but you have no idea how much you’ve hurt me.”
“Yes, I do. I’m fully aware, and that’s why I’m trying so damn hard to get you back. Can’t you see that?”
I nod. “Yes. And you can still try. My heart will always belong to you, but you can’t fault me for wanting to explore other options.”
“I want to be your only option.”
Fuck. Why does that statement hurt so bad?
“That’s not feasible, Ezra, and you know it. Deep down, you know it’s true. If you didn’t want me hooking up with your friends, you should have kept them away from me like you did when we were together.”
He flinches like I’ve just slapped him, but for a man like Ezra James, hearing the truth is a tough pill to swallow.
He clears his throat, and his eyes are suddenly devoid of emotion. “Fine. You want to whore your way through this house? Go ahead. I won’t stop you.”
Without another word, he turns and walks away. Vic, Jay, and Lee step aside and watch him leave.
I try not to let the venom of his words sting too much. This is what I wanted, right? For Ezra to leave me alone?
I wanted him to know I’m not his, and I’ve just made it more than clear to him that he will have to share me with his friends.
So why does it still hurt to watch him away from me?
CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE
LEE
Damn.
I never would’ve guessed Vic would be the first to fuck Maya. I guess it should have been obvious from the way those two look at each other, but a part of me kind of hoped to be the one to have her first. I’ve been so focused on not upsetting Ezra that I deprived myself of these urges I feel whenever I’m around her.
Now I know where I stand. She’s made it clear she’s ready to be with all of us, so I’m taking what I want and I’m not apologizing for it. Ezra’s like a brother to me, but if Maya wants me, then she can have me.
Jay follows Ezra into the house to try to calm him down. Vic gives Maya a smile and caresses her face before going back to his treehouse to avoid further confrontation.
Smart. It’s probably best not to go anywhere near Ezra right now.
When Maya turns and finds me still standing behind her, she jumps a little.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you…”
She just waves her hand dismissively. “I’m fine. It’s just… It’s so hard for me. Being here with him. With all of you.” She looks at me and smiles. “I’m not used to the attention you all are giving me. It’s been a while since a man treated me with any respect.”
She chews on her bottom lip. “Well, you and Vic, anyway.”
I nod in understanding. “In Ezra’s defense, I really don’t think he means to be so…much, you know? He’s as passionate as he is brutal—I don’t think he really knows how to be any other way. And don’t worry about Jay. Once he comes to his senses, he’ll like you just as much as the three of us do.”
She chuckles.
The two of us stand there staring at each other for a moment.
“Do you want to go out with me?” I blurt out.
Her eyes widen in surprise.
“Not like adateor anything…”
