Page 79 of The Revenge Game

When Drew kissed me back, my entire world tilted on its axis.

Because having someone kiss you with that much intensity, that much want? It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced.

But I’d managed to screw it up somehow.

As I carefully hang up my suit jacket, Bobby Ray’s voice echoes in my head.

“What the hell kind of man kisses another man?”

This man, Bobby Ray. This man.

My cats follow me into the kitchen as I grab a glass of water. They sit on the counter, watching me with identical expressions of concern.

“What do you think I should do?” I ask them. “Just pretend nothing happened? Go back to being casual, charming Justin who never lets anything affect him?”

Cassie just yawns, which isn’t particularly helpful feedback.

But the thought of pretending nothing happened with Drew makes my chest ache. Because that kiss… That kiss felt like finally being able to breathe after spending years underwater.

And maybe that’s my answer right there.

I’m tired of pretending. Tired of playing roles. Tired of being a false version of myself. Drew deserves better than that. He deserves someone real.

And maybe…maybe I deserve that too.

I pull out my phone, my heart thundering against my ribs.

I start typing, delete it all, and start again.

Finally, I take a deep breath and write from my heart.

I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. Can we talk?

I hit send before I can second-guess myself.

Then I sink onto my kitchen floor, my back against the cabinets. Tabitha immediately claims my lap while Cassie settles beside me, her warm weight against my leg anchoring me.

“Well, guys, I guess we’ll see what happens next,” I say softly.

Because for the first time since I was fourteen years old, discovering feelings I thought would destroy me, I’m choosing to be brave instead of safe.

I’m choosing to be real instead of perfect.

I’m choosing Drew.

And even if he never wants to kiss me again, even if I’ve ruined our friendship forever, at least I’ll know I finally did something true.

My phone stays silent, but I keep it clutched in my hand, hope and terror warring in my chest as my cats purr steadily.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Andrew

Justin Morris wants me.

I wake up the next morning, and that’s all I can think about. It’s like a new piece of furniture in the room that you keep tripping over.

I stare at my ceiling, watching early morning shadows play across it while my mind replays last night’s kiss for approximately the seven hundred and fifty-sixth time.