Page 116 of Eternal

“Which is what, exactly?”

Jase leans back in his chair, and when Declan looks at him from across the yard, the air cools like there’s a stormbrewing on the horizon. Declan watches him, clearly not happy Jase is sitting by me, even if he doesn’t make a move to do anything about it.

It isn’t until the blonde knocks Declan on the arm to let him know it’s his turn that he breaks eye contact.

“What have you heard?” I ask again, and it’s nearly a whisper this time.

“Nothing.” Jase shakes his head. “Forget I said anything.”

“Really?” I glare. “You can’t take it back now. Just say it.”

Jase rakes his hand into his hair. “Declan’s dad is cutting a deal with yours as we speak. Bargaining campaign donations if Declan will stop meddling.”

“Meddling?”

“Dating you and preventing the Ivans and Donovans’ business merger.”

It’s never sounded less romantic than how Jase says it.

“So you’re saying Ian Pierce is using me to shake down my father for campaign money?” My stomach turns as I consider it.

“Are you surprised?”

Declan’s father uses anyone and everyone to his advantage. We’re stepping stones in Ian Pierce’s grand scheme to someday be president. So, no, I’m not surprised.

But if Jase is right, Declan has been lying to me.

I thought Declan’s father was just as upset as mine—that he was going against them both. If what Jaseis saying is true, then Declan has been colluding with his father all along. Using me in a massive scheme where Ian Pierce uses his son to squeeze my father for money. Not only that, but he’s promised that the second he’s done, Declan is going to leave me.

It makes sense now why Jase doesn’t see our relationship as a threat.

Jase could be fucking with my head, but his expression is deadly serious, and I don’t sense any hints of a lie in his tone.

What’s real?

What’s not?

What’s the truth?

What’s me losing my mind?

“Why are you telling me this?” My water bottle crinkles in my tight grip. “If you think turning me against Declan will help your chances with me, it won’t.”

“We both know you and I don’t make those decisions, Teal.” He shakes his head. “I don’t need to turn you against him because it doesn’t matter. You’re a pawn, and so am I. Either way, we end up together.”

I swallow hard, knowing he’s right, as I choke back the lump lodged in my throat. My eyes burn as I pick at the dirt caked into my shorts.

“I’m telling you this because you deserve to know.” Jase reaches out for my hand and squeezes it. “You’re smart and beautiful and so much more than your family gives you credit for. So, when this all inevitably goes down—for better or worse—I figure the least you should be able to do is trust me.”

“I don’t trust anyone,” I tell him, standing up. “But thanks anyway.”

Jase might be telling me this to turn me against Declan, but it doesn’t matter. He’s right. I know where this ends regardless of what Declan and I have promised each other. All I have to do is look around the yard for proof of it.

No one here is in it for love.

And certainly not a Pierce and Donovan.

“Teal.”