Pretend You're Mine (Inked Hearts 3)

Flashes of silver and purple move through the crowd. Out the door.

“Ryan, is that true?” Mom asks.

“Which part?”

“Are you still in love with Penelope?”

“No. But…” I can’t explain it. Whatever I am, it’s not enough for Leighton.

Fuck.

This is the same shit again.

“It must be hard, figuring out how to love someone after the way you and Penelope ended.” Mom places her hand on my shoulder. “The same thing happened to me when I was young. Before your father.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Dean explained it. Don’t be mad at your brother. He loves you—”

“He told you she cheated?”

“Not in lurid detail.”

“It’s

Dean.”

“With more detail than we needed, yes. We were defending her. Asking why you’d do something so foolish. He was right to explain.”

“It was mine to explain.”

“No. He cares about you. That’s what happens when you love someone. Their business becomes your business.”

I bite my tongue.

“You know your brother looks up to you. He always has.”

“Maybe.”

“He’s been following in your footsteps since he could walk.”

Maybe.

“Forgive Dean. He’s only trying to help.” Mom’s eyes fill with pity. “And her too. Leighton seems good for you.”

“She seems like a drunk mess.” I shake my head. “She is that sometimes. But she’s more. She’s everything.”

“I can tell you love her.”

Why can’t I tell?

It’s not fucking fair.

Why is it all these other people know how I feel?

Mom’s lips curl into a frown. “You shouldn’t be here Ryan. Your father convinced me I shouldn’t talk you out of coming, but that was a mistake. You shouldn’t be spending your time and energy on someone who did that to you.”

“I’m not here for Penny.” My gaze goes to the restaurant’s front door. Leighton isn’t coming back. Which means I need to leave. “It feels good wanting this for Pen. Being happy for her.”