Page 82 of Heated

He bends his head, stares at his balled fist.

“Still, you can’t let them rob you of a future with him if that’s what you want. The question is—is that what you want?”

“It doesn’t matter what I want,” I murmur. “I betrayed Cyrus. There are some things he can’t forgive.”

Miriam snorts. “That’s bullshit. And you didn’t answer the question. A future with him. Is that what you want?”

Is it?

Levi’s words resonate deep inside me, and I close my eyes. I did self-sabotage my relationship with Cyrus. Not intentionally, but subconsciously? As a way of protecting myself from any more rejection, criticism,and pain? Yes. Because if I’d truly trusted he would love me—the real me—then I wouldn’t have hidden from him. I wouldn’t have lied.

So many regrets. God, I’m sinking in them like quicksand, and I don’t know if my head will ever break the surface again.

And yet ...

Yet I would turn back the hands of time to have another chance.

To be honest.

To start over on solid ground.

To have a future with him.

Because I love him.

“Yes,” I whisper. “I want that.”

“Well then, heffa.” She slaps her hands on her thighs and shoots up from her seat. “Why are we still sitting here? What’re we going to do to get your man back?”

“Nothing.”

She slaps her hands on her hips and glares down at me.

“What the hell you mean,nothing?” she demands.

I shake my head. “I stole his choice for weeks by lying to him. Every day I spent with him and withheld the truth, I stole from him.”

“One thing I can’t abide is a liar and a thief. And to me, they’re one and the same.”

“I’m going to send him a letter apologizing and explaining my actions. But if he decides not to forgive me, that’s his decision. And I’ll have to respect it.”

Miriam drops back into her chair, loosing a sound of disgust.

“That noble shit is for the birds.” Glaring at me, she snatches one of the spoons off my desk and grabs the ice cream. “We’re still eating this, though.” She cuts a look at Levi. “You too, lil Levi.”

I laugh, picking up my own spoon.

Out of all of this, at least I have my family.

They will always have my back.

And if all else fails, that’s enough.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CYRUS

“Bruh, you know I love you like the brother my father had with his side chick, but—and I mean this with my whole chest—you are a raging dick.”