Breaking Even (Sterling Shore 5)

Everyone stood by and watched the two of them fight each other. It wasn’t just him, and it wasn’t just her. But that’s not what’s going on here.

“I kissed her,” I blurt out, completely shocking us both because I have no fucking clue why I just admitted that. Tag’s eyes widen before he laughs.

“Then I guess it wasn’t a total waste,” he murmurs more to himself than to me.

“But I left. Brin isn’t the type you let into your bed for a little while. She’s a lifetime commitment, and I’m not a lifetime guy.”

Tag smiles, but it seems like he drifts off into memory land. “There was a time when I felt the same way.”

I appreciate what he’s trying to do, but I’m not him. I wish I was, but I’m not. His old fear of commitment didn’t stem from the same dark roots mine does.

I’ve seen the nasty side of love. I’ve seen it swallow people and destroy all their hope, their light, and their will to live. I couldn’t ever do that to someone and live with myself.

“We’re different,” I tell him, motioning between us. “Not all people can change.”

“If you manage to stop thinking about her, then maybe you’re right,” he says, offering me a tighter smile. “But if you can’t, then you might need to admit defeat. That’s all I came by to say. I should go. Let me know if you need anything.”

I just nod, and he walks out. I release a harsh breath that has been clogging up my lungs, and I turn to stare out the window to the pet store. Even that makes me think of her now. Brin didn’t go to work this morning, and I’m almost positive it’s because I fucked with her head last night.

How the hell do I dig myself out of this hole?

***

BRIN

“You’re not staying in bed all day,” Maggie gripes, ripping the cover off me for the third time.

“Can’t you just let a girl wallow for one day?” I growl, squinting against the intrusive light she has let into my room.

“No. You’re not doing this. You’re too strong for something like this to knock you on your ass for even a minute.”

I glare at her before jerking the covers out of her hand and pulling them back over my head again. But as soon as I settle in, she’s depriving me of my shield once more, and this time she throws the covers out of my room.

“I used to love you, but you’re quickly rising up to the top of my most-hated enemies right now,” I say in warning.

She crosses her arms over her chest, her stern gaze pinning me in place. I hate Maggie’s pissed look. It’s actually a little scary.

“Fine!” I snap, crawling out of the bed and feeling resentment toward her rising.

“Good!” she barks, and then she turns on her heel and storms out, pausing only to grab my covers and drag them away.

“What am I supposed to do? I’ve already called in and requested a personal day.”

“Go out and get some air. I’ll prepare our stay-in movie night, and I’ll teach you how to properly deal with disappointment. It includes three flavors of ice cream.”

That sounds promising.

“Where should I go for air?” I joke, earning a huff from her.

“The beach is ideal. Now go. I’ll get everything ready.”

With a great deal of reluctance, I start getting my clothes on and I pull my hair back. I frown when I see my keys. Maggie said he brought them over when he got home last night. I’m glad I wasn’t here.

Now I have to go see what all he did to my car, and it’s going to break my resolve just a little bit more. Any guy who kisses a girl and stalks away is obviously battling with the fact that he doesn’t want to want her.

It sucks, but I get it. I know I’m not the type of girl he goes for. I knew it from the beginning. But our chemistry... I just thought he’d get past the superficial bullshit. I’m not that bad, dammit.

In a room full of normal women, I’d be much more appealing. I should move to a new town. One where the gene pool isn’t overloaded with the super sexy.