Page 86 of Igniting Sparks

I’m a patient man, but Mina is pushing my temper into the red, especially because with every sentence, she sounds more and more like Bitsy.

“You’re right. I don’t know what it’s like inyourworld.” I make air quotes, smacking my hand against the doorframe. “I’m just some dumb, tattooed schmuck who cheated on you, right? Guess I’m lucky people inmyworld don’t hold that against me.”

Mina balls her hands into fists, the tension radiating off her. “That’s not how I see you.”

“Isn’t it? It’s what your family thinks of me, and you just said you have to play their game. Here’s my question for you, Mina. How far are you going to take it? Are you going to marry Leo, pop out a few kids, and pretend you never lowered your standards to hang out with people like me? All to satisfy your aunt’s ego?”

“Stop it, Braden.”

She doesn’t answer. Doesn’t fight for us. And for a half-second, I hope I’m wrong—that I misread all of it. That she’s still in this with me.

Then I see her hand. The ring, always in place, is gone. “You took off the ring.”

“I had to,” she murmurs, not meeting my eyes.

What a crock of shit.

“No, youwantedto. Besides, it’s harder for good old BitsyFarnsworth to set you up with Leo if you’re already committed to someone else.”

“That’s not fair. You know how she is.”

“You know what isn’t fair? That I felt something for you. I know this started out as a ruse to fool your aunt, but I believed it meant something. Turns out, I was a place card for you until your real life came calling again.”

Her blue eyes fill with tears, and she drops her gaze, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her dress. “That’s not true.”

But it is. Her actions tonight prove that.

“Look, if you want to lie to your aunt and Leo, fine. Want to play their game? Go for it. But don’t you dare lie to me. I deserve better than that.”

Mina hurls the lip gloss onto the counter and spins toward me, arms crossed tight across her chest. “Don’t you get it? I’m notchoosingthem, Braden. I’m choosing a dream I’ve worked my whole life for, and I hate what it’s costing me.”

Looks like I’m the sacrificial lamb here.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what to do.” She swipes at the tears streaking down her cheeks.

I hate seeing her cry.

But right now, I don’t know where the real Mina ends and the version she puts on for everyone else begins.

Maybe I never did.

“You’ve already decided.” My voice is flat. “Go play the part. Land the role. That’s what all this has been about, right?”

I smack the doorway and turn to leave. “Enjoy your dinner. I’ll get out of your way. Turns out I’m really fucking good at that.”

I storm downstairs and hop on my motorcycle, feeling like a fool.

The worst part? Zane cautioned me against inserting myself between Mina and her wealthy family—not because hedisliked her, but because he’d been in a similar situation himself.

Turns out, his ending was like mine. Blood might be thicker than water, but money is the strongest glue of all.

Let’s hope Mina is happy with her choice.

Right now, I’m off to get a drink and forget I ever loved her.

Chapter 19

Cheerleader, Not Savior