Total pages in book: 150
Estimated words: 136791 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 684(@200wpm)___ 547(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136791 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 684(@200wpm)___ 547(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
"Why didn't you tell me?" I ask, looking up at him.
He shrugs. "You had enough to deal with. I didn't want you worrying about this, too. I knew you'd go to Kaleo if you knew, and I didn't want you throwing away your life just to make sure she got what she wanted. She needs you. After Tony attacked her, you were the only one who could calm her down. I realized then that you'll always be the one she needs when she's hurting. You love her the way she deserves. She's happy with you, and I know you'll always fight to keep her safe. She'll never have to go through shit alone so long as she has you. It was easier for me to be the sacrificial lamb. I had nothing to lose by going to him. You did."
"I wouldn't have gone to him," I mumble and shake my head. "I'm a millionaire."
Titan laughs like he thinks I'm messing with him. He sobers when I don't laugh, too. He cocks his head to the side, his amusement dying. "You're serious, aren't you?"
I nod. "Found out the day Ma Lucia died. My mom's parents were rich. Her dad owned a bunch of wineries or distilleries or something. They left everything to her. When she died, it passed to me."
"Jesus Christ," Titan breathes, shock written all over his face. "You never said anything."
"Didn't want it to change us." It's my turn to shrug. "My mom and Ma Lucia didn't need the money to make a life for themselves. I didn't think I needed it either. I'd rather live on this block for the rest of my fucking life than lose you and January over money I never asked for and never wanted. But I would have emptied that fucking account for her if you would have come to me."
"Does she know?"
I shake my head. "No one does."
"Jesus," he whispers, shaking his head regretfully. "Her scholarship came through right after she got her acceptance letter. She's got enough to cover her tuition and living expenses. She won't need your money. She won't have to touch the money I put aside for her either."
"But you kept on dealing for him. Why?"
"At first, I did it because I was pissed off at you," he admits. His brow furrows like he's thinking hard about his answer. "You threw down a gauntlet, and I'm an asshole who couldn't resist picking the damn thing up. I wanted you to hate me. Figured it'd be easier that way. You'd get January out of here and never look back."
"You are an asshole, but I never hated you, Titan."
"I know. Saw that shit every time you looked at me like you were disappointed in me. Despite being pissed, you didn't rat me out to January. You kept my secret."
"You think I want to break her heart like that?" I demand, shoving my hands into my pockets because I kind of want to hit him, but I promised January that I wouldn't. "I didn't keep your secret for you. I kept it because knowing what you've been up to would have devastated her. She idolizes you, but you're too fucking blind to see it. That girl has worshipped the ground you walk on since she was a baby."
"I know," he whispers. Guilt flows through his expression. I think he actually regrets the shit he's done that would break her heart if she knew. The shit that would have her looking at him like something less than the hero she's always thought he was.
No matter how pissed I am at him, I'd never do that to her. Hell, I'd never do it to him, either. Because as much as he likes to pretend otherwise, we both know he thinks his little sister hung the moon. That's one thing we've always agreed on. I'd never take that away from him or weaponize it by using it against him.
"I'm not going to tell her," I mutter to him. "If that's what you're worried about, I'll keep your secret."
"That's not what I'm worried about. I know you won't tell her. Even if I don't deserve it, you'd never tell her something that would hurt us both." He glances up and sighs. "I fucked up. Like majorly fucked up."
"What happened?" I ask, unable to stop myself. He dug his own grave, and I should let him lie in it, but I won't. Because no matter how far we've drifted apart, no matter how pissed I am at him, he's still like a brother to me. I still love him and I'll still do whatever I can to help him.
"I started dealing to help get January out of here, but then I got hooked."
"You're taking the shit you're dealing?" I take a step toward him.
"No. Hell no, I'm not that goddamn stupid," he says, holding his hands up and shooting me a "what the fuck" glare. "I got hooked on the money it brought in. Mom's working fewer hours. Things around the house are getting fixed. My bike isn't falling apart every time I ride the son of a bitch. It was nice, being able to take care of my family without killing myself working twelve-hour days on the job site."