Total pages in book: 171
Estimated words: 164705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
Legends.
“I don’t know how you eat all this crap and stay so ripped.” Briar groaned, her mouth obviously stuffed with pizza.
“I work out five hours a day. Plenty of time to burn, you see.”
They continued to eat in silence while I slid to the floor, just enjoying the sound of my brother and fiancée happy.
So.” Seb paused to swallow his bite. “Heard from your folks again since the last time?”
Since the last time? There was a last time, and she hadn’t told me?
Jealousy cloyed at my throat, gripping me in a chokehold. They shared an entire language between them, secrets and conversations I’d been left out of. But joy won out. Sebastian had made progress for the first time in years. He’d accepted someone, enjoyed their company, and connected.
“Nope.” Briar popped the P. “Guess I successfully sent the message that I want them in my life a little less than I do the Grim Reaper.”
“Don’t be so harsh. I’m sure the Grim Reaper has some redeeming qualities.”
More laughter. More pizza. More Family Guy.
I loved my brother. I really did. I had put my entire fucking life on hold for him, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. But I didn’t love that he’d asked her to keep their hangouts a secret – and I had no doubt the order had come from him. That fucker was born to piss me off.
Once the clock ticked closer to six, the time I normally arrived home, I stalked out of Sebastian’s wing, my throat pulsating. I wanted to rip something to shreds. To release my anger on someone. And to cry of relief.
Sebastian was capable of happiness.
He was capable of being human again.
He just needed someone to pull him out of his shell.
Too many emotions swirled in my stomach. As soon as my feet hit my office rug, I buckled over the trash can, dry heaving. Nothing came out. I plopped onto my ass and hung my head, releasing a feral growl.
The love of my life was healing my brother.
But she had goals, and work, and a life in Los Angeles.
If she left … I drove my fist into my desk, chipping the heavy wood and splitting open my own knuckles.
This time, she would not go anywhere.
Chapter Seventy-Five
Briar
Dallas Costa: I still cannot believe he BOUGHT A WHOLE ASS HOUSE FOR YOUR FIRST DATE.
Briar Auer: Tbh, I did put out all those years ago in exchange for a few hasty drinks.
Briar Auer: But he somehow designed my perfect childhood room that never was. A nice touch, all things considered.
Farrow Ballantine-Sun: I’m afraid, under these circumstances, even I would fold.
Dallas Costa: FOLD???
Dallas Costa: I would dedicate my life to being his personal origami.
Farrow Ballantine-Sun: @BriarAuer, what are you going to do when it’s time to return to LA for work?
Dallas Costa: Yeah. I know you said you canceled the contract with that actress, but you still have to work with her co-star.
Briar Auer: I’ll go home. I must. I can’t dedicate my life to Oliver again.
Briar Auer: Maybe we can do long distance.
Dallas Costa: Didn’t work last time.
Farrow Ballantine-Sun: I barely know Oliver at all, and even I know he’s an all-or-nothing guy.
Briar Auer: Well, then he might have to settle for nothing.
Briar Auer: Because I can’t give myself up for someone else again.
Chapter Seventy-Six
Oliver
“Holy shit. I can’t believe I’m about to see Felix and Agnes again.”
Briar unbuckled herself from the passenger seat, shimmying her dress down. She could tug it down as much as she wanted, I still knew my cum was dripping along her inner thigh under those panties.
“Watch your language around them.” I slid out of the driver’s seat, rounding the car to open her door. “They’re still as stuck-up as ever.”
She accepted my hand, stretching her long limbs with a grin. “Are you asking me to behave myself?”
“Just this once.” I pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “And just with them. I want the unfiltered version any other time.”
Our arms locked together, we strolled to the front door of my parents’ waterfront Oxford estate. The 25,000-square-foot monstrosity sat on 11 acres of lush green land. After the accident went down, they’d retreated here, hoping to lure Sebastian back with the privacy. Until they realized they couldn’t quite face him.
Briar’s heels crushed the gravel as we stormed up the porch steps. “I have a bad feeling about this.”
“Bad feeling? They’re in love with you.” And, apparently, I am, too. “They’ve been dying to see you again ever since the New York Times spread. The only reason it hasn’t happened yet is because I didn’t want to share you with anyone else.”
“And now? Grew tired of me?”
“Never.” I tightened my arm around hers. “Just got better at pretending my obsession for you is under control to avoid being institutionalized.”
I decided not to confront Briar or Sebastian about keeping their friendship from me. I didn’t want to stand in their way. Obviously, their interactions worked. I’d rather chop off a testicle than derail my brother’s progress.