Page 105 of His Temptation

“Why didn’t you talk to me about it?”

“Come on, Ry. After how angry you got when I grabbed your hand at the party, the disgust in your voice when you said people would think we were gay… I was afraid you’d get mad and not want to be my friend anymore. I didn’t want to lose you.”

“So you go to my dad instead? What kind of fucked-up shit is that?”

“I didn’t go to him. Not exactly. I joined a gay hookup app and messaged a guy on there. We agreed to meet up. When I got to the hotel, it was Emery. We were both shocked as hell.”

Once I started talking, I couldn’t stop. I ended up telling Ryan everything—how Emery had rejected me for weeks before finally agreeing to see me again. I told him how upset Emery and I were about keeping it from him, but we hadn’t known what else to do.

“The longer it went on, the harder it was to tell you,” I said, emotion clogging in my voice. “The lies just built on top of each other until I was buried beneath them.”

“I’m sorry,” Ryan whispered, staring at his hands. “I was an idiot for how I treated my dad. And though it still pisses me off that you guys kept it from me, I know why you did. But that doesn’t mean I forgive you.”

I nodded. “I understand.”

“I’m sorry for beating the shit out of you.”

For some reason, I laughed. “Only because I let you.”

“Whatever.” Ryan shoulder-bumped me and smiled before his face slowly went back to the serious expression he’d had moments ago. “I’ve missed you, Cas.”

“Yeah. Same.”

Ryan frowned and messed with the class ring he wore on his index finger. “Do you care about him? My dad?”

“Yeah,” I answered, my eyes prickling. I cleared my throat, trying to shove down the sorrow inching closer to the surface. “I know you don’t wanna hear it, but I love him. A lot.”

“Then why did you break up with him?” he asked. I lifted my brows at him as he looked at me, and he rolled his eyes. “Because of me, I know. Shit, man. This is like a damn soap opera.”

“Have you talked to him lately?”

Ryan shook his head. “Nah. He came to my dorm a few weeks back to talk to me, and I made him leave. I haven’t answered his calls either.”

“Please don’t stay mad at him forever,” I said. “I pushed him into this. If you’re going to hate anyone, hate me.”

“I really thought Ididhate you.” Ryan tilted his head back as a summer breeze swept around us and made the branches of the tall trees in front of us sway. “But I don’t hate either of you. It’s just hard to wrap my head around.” He looked at me, the sun catching his eyes and making them appear brighter. “I’ll need some time to figure things out. I’m not ready to be your friend again, but I’m trying to get there.”

Hearing the words hurt, but they also gave me hope.

Ryan left after that, and I sat in the courtyard a while longer, enjoying the summer day. The broken fragments of my heart weren’t mended yet, but it was a little easier to breathe.

Chapter 24

Emery

The wedding was beautiful. Sunflowers were included in each flower arrangement, and fairy lights were strung around the large oak tree Becca and Bill stood under saying their vows.

“I do,” Becca said, her eyes filling with tears as she smiled at the man in front of her. Her blonde hair fell in soft waves down her back, and her lace dress was simple, yet stunning on her.

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”

Applause rang out in the field as the guests stood from their white chairs and cheered for the newlyweds.

“Is it an open bar?” Jay asked, leaning over to whisper in my ear as he clapped.

“Yes,” I answered through my smile as Becca and Bill went back down the aisle holding hands. “You can’t go picking up guys here. So behave.”

“I always behave, darlin’.”