Page 26 of The Destruction You Desire

Seeing her dancing with Leon last night lit a fuse that I had no control over.

Flashbacks of him with Letty played out in my mind and I knew I couldn't deal with that again.

Letty was one thing, but Peyton. My Peyton.

Hell. No. Leon wasn't going anywhere near her.

Knowing this morning that by kicking her out of my room I forced her straight into his arms once more was more than I could handle.

With her scent still clinging to my skin, I threw some joggers and a shirt on and I just started running.

I didn't have a destination in mind, but I soon realized that my subconscious had a plan as I got closer and closer to her house.

I thought that maybe by the time I got there, I'd have managed to clear my head and actually knock on the door and have something resembling a sensible conversation. Only, when I came to a stop out in front of the house, the first thing I saw was him.

My twin brother was exactly where I should have been.

I didn't want them to see me but I was powerless to do anything but to stand frozen right in the middle of the front yard, and watch as Leon introduced himself to our… our little brother and sitting beside him, chatting away as if they've known each other forever.

And Peyton, she just stood there staring at the two of them like they were the best people in the entire world.

My heart shattered in my chest as I vividly remember her looking at me exactly like that. Like I had literally just hung the moon in the sky just for her.

My chest heaves as I try to keep control of my breathing as I continue watching them.

My head screams to move, to stop torturing myself more than I already have. But my body… that refuses to cooperate. And that's why, when Peyton does finally look up, she finds me standing there like some kind of stalker watching her every move.

All the air rushes from my lungs the second her eyes find mine.

"Shit," I hiss through clenched teeth.

She says something and looks away for a second. It's my chance to escape, to run and pretend it didn't happen but still, my body remains frozen to the spot as Leon stands and looks at me through the window.

I can sense his anger, his frustration and confusion over all of this even with the distance between us. But he's in there. He's accepted her words for what they are—the truth—and he's being the friend, the brother, the person she expects. Hell, no, it's more than that. He's being the person she needs and it fucking rips me apart that he's taking my place.

I'm still having a silent argument with Leon when she opens the front door.

"Luc?"

Her soft voice sends chills down my spine and when I turn to look at her, the only thing I feel is the ache in my chest.

She's still wearing my jersey, my number. It should mean something. But while she's in there with him, it means nothing. It's just a shirt because she's made her choice. It's why she's with him.

It's my fault. I'm fully aware of that, but it doesn't make it hurt any less.

"You look like the perfect little family," I spit, unable to keep the venom inside.

She rears back like I just slapped her, her arms crossing over her chest.

"What do you want, Luc?"

A shadow falls over her and when I look behind her, Leon steps up, his face set in a stone mask as if he's ready to fight this out again if need be.

I shake my head, a bitter laugh falling from my lips.

"It doesn't matter. It seems he's already slotted in and taken my place," I spit.

"There's no place to take, Luca. You're not a part of my life anymore. You made that decision for the both of us. So, unless you actually want something, you need to leave. None of us want you here."