Page 78 of Timber's Line

“You love Timber?”

“No, but I want her.”

“Well, I’m not going to make it easy. You might not be on the show anymore, but you’re still here. I’m not going to sit and feed her nice things about you when you almost messed everything up for yourself and her.”

“I understand,” I tell him, even though I don’t. If he was my friend, he would hype me up.

“I’m not going to do that, or put you down either. I’m your friend, but you need to figure out how to reach her. I feel like we’re coddling you. Grow some balls, man. You want her, get her.”

He stalks off. What the fuck? Coddling me?

Fuck him.

But he did make it sound like I still had a chance.

Mine . . . she’s mine.

I watch her leave with Axel, but I keep my anger under control. I use the punching bag in the loft to let out my frustration. I fall asleep when I see them pull back up. Yeah, it pisses me off to see him kiss her cheek, but I don’t care. I’m going to get the girl in the end.

CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN

TIMBER

I sit with Silas again at breakfast. Even though I had a great time with Axel, he’s not who I want.

“You two both have the same lovestruck look on your faces,” Silas states.

“What?”

“You and asshole over there.”

“Well, maybe I’m in love with your brother,” I inform him.

“See, Silas, I always knew I’d beat you at something.” Axel smirks, taking a seat.

“One and only time,” Silas snickers.

“Fuck off.” They bicker back and forth, and I wish I had that with my siblings, but they’re a lot younger than me.

“You two are something else.” I laugh.

“At least we can make you smile.” Silas brushes my cheek.

“You do.”

Axel is staring over my shoulder, but I don’t turn.

“Timber, today you’re going on a date with Rome,” Sal informs me.

“Thank you.” I take my plate to be washed, and I head for Rome.

“Hi.”

“We’re going to volunteer at an animal shelter today.” He smiles.

“Show off,” Silas yells and everyone laughs, even Dayton.

“Let’s go.”