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"You’re also bloody good at pretending you don’t feel anything I thought if I could hurt you this "

I pinned him with a look that said I wanted to rip his balls off "So you told ently and brushed an apologetic kiss across et to the truth… but if I’ht" His eyes filled with remorse "I’ain, or ever ain, I swear But the truth is, you did cry You cried because the thought ofthat to you ripped you apart You lovethe There was too much to deal with, too much to discuss, and it all had to be later because Ellie needed us "One: that was the shittiest thing in the world to do Te can’t do this right now"

"We’re not leaving this kitchen until you admit you love me"

"Braden, I h he didn’t step back "I’ my mind"

His eyes looked to the heavens and I watched hiaze cut back to"Why not?" He bit out

I wouldn’t explain it to hiue around it and I just… no! "Because I just won’t Noe have a long day in front of us and a possibly even longer few o"

"Okay" Braden threw up his hands and stepped back I was just about to sigh with a sain, "For now"

Oh hell "What?"

He grinned atfor wicked, but too tired and worried to reach it "I love you You’re mine I’ll kill any bastard who tries to take you froo: Ellie co care of her you can be as pig-headed as you want and pretend that we’re broken up I’ll even let you But I’ you what you’re "

My cheeks were still wet, ht then I didn’t care Part of me was overwhelmed and in awe The other half ofon to both of their leashes wasto need each other through this All of us But if you can’t do that, then I’ to do whatever it takes Some of it will frustrate you, some of it will turn you on, and some of it will hopefully really piss you off"

"You are insane"

"No" We spun around to see Ellie standing in the kitchen doorway in her bathrobe, wearing a s for what he wants"

"He’s not the only one," I heard Adam’s voice as the front door opened and shut, and Ellie turned in the doorway to look out into the hall

We waited as his footsteps approached and then he was there beside her

Christ, he looked like hell I’d never seen Ada a ratty old t-shirt, a parka and jeans that had seen way better days He had dark circles under his eyes to rival Braden’s and desperation was etched in every ht it to his lips, his eyes closing as he pressed histhere, and felt ed on her hand and pulled her into the kitchen with him to face Braden All of sudden Ada"

Braden crossed his ar as he took in the two of theether "Go on"

Adam closed his eyes briefly and then when he opened them I saw determination that I admired in the face of his bulldozer of a friend "You’re like a brother I would never do anything to hurt you And I know I haven’t been what a brother would consider good material for his wee sister, but I love Ellie, Braden I have for a long time now and I can’t not be with her I’ve wasted too much time as it is"

Ellie and I held our breaths as the two best friends faced off

Braden’s eyes went to Ellie, his expression not giving anything away God, he could be an inti a-hole when he wanted to be "Do you love him?"

Adam looked back at her and she squeezed his arm With a sed and reached casually over to the kettle to turn it on "About bloody tiwith Ada did Braden let on that he kneas going on with Adam and Ellie That sneaky bastard