Chapter 296
NOAH.
I’m sitting across from Adrian and Gunner, my mind still reeling from the hard truth they just hit me with.
I can’t deny it. Back then, I would’ve shut down anyone who dared to speak against Chloe. I would’ve defended her without question. But now, after reading that entry, after the illusion I built around her collapsed, I don’t have the luxury of denial anymore and for the first time, I’m not just hearing what’s being said about her… I’m actually listening
It’s been three days. Three fucking days since I found out the truth, and it still doesn’t feel real. It still feels like a weight pressing down on my chest.
I’ve drunk almost a bottle now, but I’m not drunk yet. There’s a buzz in my bloodstream, though it’s not enough to dull the storm raging inside me.
I’ve always told myself I was justified. Justified in my anger. Justified in hating Sierra. Justified in hurting her the way I believed she’d hurt me. It made everything easier… but now finding out the truth? It’s killing me because it means I destroyed her love with my own hands.
The weight of that realization presses down on my chest until breathing feels like a task instead of instinct.
I shake the thoughts away, refusing to let them settle too deeply, lift my glass and take a long swallow, the whiskey burning a path down my throat.
“Brook is in love with me,” I say, just to keep my mind from drowning.
“Say that again,” Adrian chokes.
I stare at the table. This is yet another truth I’m struggling to come to terms with.
“She confessed,” I mutter. “She’s in love with me p>
Adrian’s eyes widen in shock, but Gunner doesn’t look all that surprised.
“You’re finding out now?” he asks flatly, leaning back while crossing his legs.
I lift my head. “You knew p>
Gunner gives me a look like I’ve just insulted his intelligence. “Come on. It was so obvious from the way she looked at you when she thought no one was watching p>
“Since when?” I ask because it’s the one thing I’ve been wondering.
“College,” he simply says.
“You can’t be serious,” Adrian says. “Wasn’t he already with Chloe then p>
“Yeah, but they were always on and off… I honestly thought that that would change after they got married, but it didn’t.” he says, “She just got better at hiding it p>
Adrian’s brows draw together. “You have to be a different level of sick to be in love with your sister’s husband p>
Gunner shrugs. “Wouldn’t be the first twisted thing in that family p>
I exhale slowly, dragging a hand down my face. This is the last fucking thing I need right now.
“So, what are you gonna do about it?” Gunner asks.
“Nothing p>
They both look at me.
“I don’t love her. Never have. Never will,” I say, my voice flat. “She’s Chloe’s little sister and that’s all she’ll ever be p>
Gunner huffs. “Funny how the two sisters always seemed to gang up on Si p>
That lands hard. The noise of the lounge fades and for a second I’m not here. I’m eighteen again, watching Sierra stand in the hallway, trying to talk to me, while Chloe whispered lies in my ear, and Brook reinforced those lies.
It was always two against one and unfortunately for me, or should I say stupidly, I chose the wrong side every single fucking time.
I swallow, forcing myself back into the present.
Gunner shifts in his seat and looks at Adrian. “So. You gonna tell us about your mystery woman or what p>
Adrian smirks. “What about her p>
“Did she pass the three-month mark?” Gunner asks, grinning.
Adrian laughs in a way I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed before. “Not only did she pass it. We’re official p>
Gunner chokes on his drink, and I stare at him.
“You’re serious p>
“Dead serious p>
“You?” I ask. “In a relationship p>
Gunner snorts. “I know, right? You are practically married to your job… Swore up and down love wasn’t for you p>
Adrian leans back in his chair, the leather creaking softly beneath him. Something softer and vulnerable shifts in his expression.
I’ve known him for years and this is different. It’s an expression I’ve never seen on him. Not even around his own family and it makes me realize this woman didn’t just get under his skin or get his attention. She managed to do what many others failed… She touched his heart.
“That’s what I thought,” he says. “but that was before I met her p>
“And now?” I ask.
He doesn’t hesitate.
“Now I find myself wanting things I never imagined I’d want,” he answers, a smile tugging at his lips as if he can clearly imagine those things.
“What things?” Gunner presses.
“Love,” Adrian says simply. “A family. Settling down p>
I stare at him, really stare at him, and he looks different. Not the smooth, detached man who never lets anything stick long enough to matter.
He looks steady and happy.
“You sound in love,” I say quietly.
“Fuck, I am.” He whispers, smiling. “Never thought I would, but she has my fucking heart p>
Gunner shakes his head. “Never thought I’d see the day p>
“Have you told her?” I ask.