Page 28

CHAPTER 28

GOT IT?

BELLA

October

My stomach drops. Shit . I wasn’t prepared for these two men to come face-to-face. I mentioned Ben to Xander, and he remembered him from college, but just vaguely.

“Hey, Ben.” I wave awkwardly and then greet his boyfriend. “Hey, Tom.”

“Hey,” Tom mutters, looking surprised. “What are you guys doing here?”

“I promised Aunt Millie I’d visit. Xander just offered me a lift.”

My cousin narrows his eyes, like he can see right through me.

I lower my gaze, hoping I can avoid giving anything away, and press my teeth into my bottom lip. A pain shoots through me, and I gasp, bringing my fingers to the place where Xander bit me.

“Let me see.” With a hand on my wrist, Xander gently turns me. His gaze coasts over my face, a small smile curving his lips. “I’m sorry, baby.”

“I’m not.” I smile back.

This moment is like so many we’ve shared. When we’re together, the world around us disappears, and it’s just us, safe and sound in some kind of bubble. His touch on my wrist spreads warmth through my veins, and the way he looks at me makes my heart skip a beat. He’s going to be my undoing, I have no doubt, and somehow, it doesn’t scare me.

“If you want to visit my mom, we’d better head in. She’s probably about ready for bed,” Ben rasps harshly.

“But—” Tom tries to protest, but when my cousin hits him with a cold stare, he snaps his mouth shut.

I give Xander a sheepish smile. “Bye.”

“See you tomorrow.” With a nod at Ben and Tom, he takes a step back.

“Goodnight.” Tom grins, and it makes me smile. He has so much energy and compassion, and he’s always happy to share it with everyone around him. He’s such a cheerful, nice guy, and I love him for that.

“Bye.” Ben’s response is much more subdued as he stalks to the front door.

Tom drapes his arm over my shoulder and kisses my temple as we climb the stairs. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” I murmur, snuggling closer. “Where have you guys been?”

“Penny and Christina are getting married, so they threw a little celebration.” He glances over my shoulder as Ben finally unlocks the door. “Alexander has the hots for you, my dear, and it turns me on.”

“Tom!” I push him away, giggling. “You’re being ridiculous.”

“Ridiculous?” Tom gasps dramatically, a hand pressed to his breastbone. “Have I ever lied to you?”

“You’re overdoing it a bit,” Ben huffs.

His boyfriend immediately bursts out laughing and pulls me into his side again. “Bella knows I’m joking, right?”

“Of course.”

As I step into the house behind Tom, I finally dare to look at Xander. Black sweatpants, a black hoodie with a white T-shirt underneath, and white Nike Air Max sneakers—he’s effortlessly hot, even with his tattoos hidden.

He lifts his chin when he catches me staring and mouths goodnight before rounding his car.

“Do you want some coffee?” Tom asks.

Ben adds, “Mom’s probably upstairs.”

“Yeah, coffee would be great.”

“I know you’re staying at Alexander’s house to avoid seeing Miller,” Ben says as I follow him to the kitchen, where Tom is already working on the coffee, “but I thought you were smarter than that. What if Miller showed up?”

I drop into a chair, elbows on the table, and hang my head. “Jake found out I was out with Meg earlier, so Xander was worried he’d track me down. All he did was pick me up and bring me here.”

Tom sets two mugs of steaming coffee on the table, then goes back for his. “That man is even hotter in person,” he says as he joins us with his own cup.

“He may look like a sex god, but that doesn’t make him a good person,” Ben snaps.

My heart pinches at the disgust in his tone. “You don’t know him.”

“One year of college was enough. I know how guys like him operate. You’ve known him for what? Three months?”

“People change.” Tom brings his mug to his lips and takes a slow sip.

“Not him. Rumor on campus was that he dumped a girl and she tried to commit suicide. Guess he’s the one who found her. He ended up saving her life.”

Silence settles in the kitchen. My shoulders tremble, and I swallow the bile climbing up my esophagus.

“Do you think he had something to do with it?” Tom asks. “With her trying to…”

“I’m not sure. After it happened, he was broody and distant with everyone, even his teammates. As I mentioned, he and Miller got into a fight. But then…things kinda went back to how they were before, like he just switched his emotions off. He acted completely unbothered.” Ben covers my hand with his. “I’ll never force you to do anything you don’t want to do. I’m not judging you if you have something going on with him. Just be careful, and remember I’m always here for you.”

Heart lodged in my throat, I nod once. “I know.”

“No, you don’t. When shit happens, you shut us all out, as if it’ll be easier to deal with it alone. That’s an illusion, Bella. I’m not only family, I’m your friend too, and I’d do anything for you.”

My heart swells with tenderness. “Thank you, Ben.”

“I love you two so much,” Tom murmurs, putting his palm over ours.

“We love you too.” Ben tilts closer to his boyfriend and pecks his lips.

Warmth blooms in my chest. I’ve always admired their relationship. It’s built on friendship, mutual respect, and trust. Their love is precious and strong. It’s what I long for myself.

“When are you two going to get married, huh?” I ask, needing to change the subject. “Penny and Christina aren’t the first of your friends to tie the knot.”

“We don’t want to rush anything,” Ben says.

“Rush anything?” I frown. “You’ve been together for close to three years.”

“We want to live together first,” Tom says. “We found a lovely apartment and can move in next month.”

“Does Aunt Millie know?”

Ben’s expression darkens. “Yes, and she’s not happy about it. She says Tom should just move in here, that the house is big enough for all of us.” He sighs. “She means the world to me, but I’m ready to start my own life with Tom.”

“I could talk to her.” She and I planned to talk about living arrangements anyway. She suggested I move in with her while I save for an apartment. If I’m here, it will be easier for her to accept Ben moving out.

“You’d do that?” Tom leans forward, beaming. “Yes. Please, we’d be forever grateful. If you can get her on board, I’ll buy you anything you want.”

“Hold your horses, cowboy.” Ben lets out a deep laugh. “Mom adores Bella, but it might not be enough.”

“We’ll never know unless we try,” I murmur.

“You are our savior, Bella.” Tom stands and stretches. “I need to go to bed.”

I stand and collect our mugs. “And I need to see Aunt Millie before she falls asleep.”

“Go ahead. I’ll take those and make sure the guest room is made up.” Ben carefully takes the dishes from my hands, then nudges me toward the living room. “See you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, boys.”

“Babe,” Tom says, catching my arm. Leaning in so Ben won’t hear us, he whispers, “Alexander likes you. Trust me—I can sense these things.” When he steps back, he gives me a gentle smile.

My heart pangs. Talking about their relationship distracted me. It was a reprieve from my concerns about Xander and the plan I still need to make for my breakup with Jake. Now? All those gloomy thoughts fill my mind again.

“Night, Tom.” All the way up the stairs, I think about what Ben said about Xander, about that girl who tried to commit suicide and him being the one to rescue her. Something is missing, and I can’t figure out what. How does Jake’s broken nose fit into the picture? Is she the girl Jake told me about when we first talked about his friendship with Xander?

God, I need the whole story. I’ll ask Xander for all the details about his past with Jake. These little bits of information aren’t enough.

* * *

As I close the door to Aunt Millie’s house behind me, I turn and close my eyes, soaking in the sun’s rays. The weather is unusually warm for the end of October, but the wind that scatters over my skin still makes me shiver. I zip up my leather jacket then pat my pockets, looking for my phone so I can order an Uber.

Movement in the driveway startles me, and when my gaze clashes with Jake’s, my pulse skyrockets.

He’s leaning against his SUV with his arms crossed over his chest, looking far too casual.

I thread my fingers through my hair, only to pull my hand back and fist it when I realize it’s trembling.

This is not how I wanted to see him for the first time in two weeks.

With a deep inhale, I steel my spine and force myself to move his way.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, making sure to keep a couple of feet between us.

He raises his brow, his scowl deepening. “That’s what you want to know?”

“Yeah.” I swallow thickly. “Because I remember telling you I needed a break.”

“The break is over. It’s time to stop this bullshit.” He drops his hands and pushes off the car, towering over me. “I’ve given you more than enough time to get your shit together, and I’ve let all the unanswered calls and texts slide.” He flings his arms wide, and I flinch on instinct, taking a step back. “I’m done being patient. It fucking stops now.”

I wince at his loud voice but force myself to stand tall. “That’s not how?—”

He wraps his palm around my wrist and hauls me toward him, knocking the air from my lungs. In a voice so cold it freezes the blood in my veins, he whispers, “You’re not listening, Isabella. You are my girlfriend .” He squeezes my wrist, his digits sinking deep into my skin. “My girlfriend who left me all alone at my mom’s party for everyone to see, including my parents. I don’t particularly like being a laughingstock.”

I grimace. My resolve slowly evaporates. “Jake, let me go.”

“Tell you what,” he continues, as if he doesn’t hear me. “You can play this game for three more days. I’ll leave you alone until Sunday, but then you’ll bring your ass to the stadium and watch me play. You’ll sit with the other girlfriends and wives and cheer us on. Got it?”

A memory resurfaces in my mind, and my skin crawls.

The bathroom door opens, and Kevin steps inside. He turns the lock then zeroes in on me, eyes burning with an energy I’d recognize anywhere.

“Your mom went to see her friend.”

He steps into me, and I shuffle away until my back hits the wall.

“Stop these games, Isabella. We both know your cunt is desperate for my dick.”

He grabs my shirt and hauls me to him. I push him away, pounding at his chest. It only makes him laugh.

“Let me go!” I protest.

He whirls me around and pushes me facedown into the countertop. Then he lifts my skirt and slaps my ass with his open palm. I bite my bottom lip, stifling the sounds, knowing they only rile him up more.

“Next time you pull something like that, you’ll regret it. Got it?”

Got it? Those two words are like icy daggers to my heart.

Jake is just like Kevin, always has been. My coping mechanism, my ability to retreat when I’m hurt or triggered, has caused me to miss vital red flags. My fear of being left alone and my need to be loved have led me here, to this dark full-circle moment.

“Jake.” My voice is weak, just like my legs. I’m outside, yet it feels like the walls are closing in on me, making it hard to breathe.

“I asked you if you understand,” he says, raising his voice.

My body trembles, and my breakfast threatens to reappear, but I will my mind to stop its spiraling. Breaking up with Jake at the stadium after his game is what Meg suggested I do yesterday. That way, there will be other people around. He wouldn’t dare make a scene in public, but right now I just want him to leave. I want to escape him and his threats by any means possible.

And so I let him think he’s got the upper hand.

I nod, avoiding looking him in the eyes. “I understand.”

He grabs my chin and lifts my face to his. His lopsided grin makes me sick to my stomach. “I’m glad we’re finally on the same page, baby. See you on Sunday.” He kisses my lips briefly and takes a step back.

I stay where I am until long after he’s gone.

When I come back to myself, I press a palm to my forehead and take a deep breath.

Everything’s going to be alright. Meg will be with me on Sunday. I can do this.

An ache in my wrist draws my attention, and when I tug up the sleeve of my hoodie I see red, blotchy skin. I lower my sleeve, feeling nauseous all over again. That will surely turn into a bruise. When the queasiness becomes unbearable, I whirl to my left and rush to the nearest bush, emptying my guts into it.