Pretend I'm Yours (Pretend 1)

I wince as he hits my ankle and his hands flail, trying to grab onto my shoulders to keep his balance.

Before I realize what is happening, Sebastian is knocked on his ass, lying on the ground.

Blood spews from his lip, as a fist comes down on his face again. Sebastian holds his hands up to protect his face, but he doesn’t fight back.

“Don’t ever touch Larkyn again. You understand?” Kade says.

Kade.

My eyes widen as I grasp my injured ankle. I don’t know whether I’m happy or afraid to see Kade here. I’m happy that’s he’s here. He lied to me and came to my race. But the way he’s looking at his brother terrifies me.

Kade’s eyes are dark, his face red, and fist balled, while his other hand tightens around Sebastian’s throat.

“We are through Sebastian. You’re on your own. I’m tired of fixing things for you. Don’t call me asking for my help anymore. Don’t ask me for money. Don’t ask me to even be there for you as your brother. I’m done helping you,” Kade says.

Kade huffs out a breath through his nose, and it might as well be fire. He finally turns toward me after taking more breaths to calm himself down. While Sebastian, is still in a heap on the ground. Several of the medics are staring at the scene, not sure if they should help Sebastian or stay out of it.

“You okay?” Kade asks me.

I nod.

“Sebastian didn’t hurt me, and my ankle was already hurt.”

“Your ankle, okay?”

“I twisted it. It will be fine. I just need to rest it.”

Kade stares down at my ankle with the same intensity one might stare at a bomb waiting for it to go off.

“I’m fine,” I say again.

Kade grimaces at me and then scoops me up in his arms.

I don’t fight with him. Even if I could walk, I wouldn’t argue with him. I like him carrying me. I like being in his arms again. Just being near him.

“You lied to me,” I say.

He ignores me. “Where did you park?”

“The west parking lot.”

He swallows, and I can hear him breathe, each breath strong and deep as we walk.

“Why did you come and not tell me?”

“Because I didn’t want you to think I like you.”

“You like me?” I ask with a smile.

“Of course, but that’s all it is. Like.”

My eyes drop. I don’t want him to see the pain in my eyes.

“You were too harsh on Sebastian. He didn’t even touch me. You don’t need to punch every guy that touches me.”

He growls, and I know he disagrees.

Kade helps me into my car, and then he goes to the driver’s seat.