Unbreakable(48)
“Yes.”
“Emmy, the only thing I ever did was turn Lilly down. Many times. Many, many times.”
“So she lied?” I ask. “I don’t understand.”
But sadly, I was beginning to. How many times had I talked to Lilly about something Will had said or done over the past year? Maybe she began to suspect I had feelings for him.
Somewhere along the line, she’d also developed feelings for Will. And she wanted to make sure that my feelings were kept in check so I didn’t make a move on him. Enter this concocted bullshit story.
Wow, that’s low even for her. Despite making a move on my boyfriend in high school, she’s never outright lied to me before. But then again, who knows?
“Yeah, she f*cking lied!” He shakes his head and runs a hand through his hair. “Jesus Christ. She’s unbelievable.”
I put down my hairbrush and glance up at him. “Why haven’t you ever slept with her, Will? She’s really into you. And like Sully said, she’d be a sure thing.”
He reaches out and cups my face, gently tracing my cheek with the pad of his thumb. “Because she’s not who I want.”
The air whooshes from my lungs, and my knees go weak and wobbly. It’s barely been 24 hours since I’ve been with him, and I crave his touch so much. I’ve never felt like this about anyone before.
My breath hitches as he stares down at me. ”Will,” I say softly. “I didn’t mean to—”
“Well, isn’t this f*cking cozy.”
My brother’s voice cuts right through our stolen moment, and I jump back, startled. His green eyes, so much like my own, lock onto my face. Fury blazes there, hot and bright, and a cold sliver of fear snakes up my spine.
This is going to be bad.
Chapter Nineteen
EMMY
My panic escalates as the color completely drains from Will’s face. He squeezes his eyes shut, and the agony that rips across his features nearly drives me to my knees. It’s his worst fear coming true, and I can’t help him. I can’t stop it. We might have been able to play it off if I hadn’t leaped away like a teenager getting caught making out in the backseat, but now, there’s no turning back.
My brother steps into the room. “Would you look at this. It’s like f*cking Romeo and Juliet up in here, eh?”
“Sully, listen—” I begin.
“Shut the f*ck up, Emmy,” he snaps. “It’s my best friend I need to talk to right now. I’ll deal with you later.”
I rear back, stunned by my brother’s vitriol. He’s never told me to shut up before in our entire lives. The words are like a slap in the face.
“Don’t talk to her like that, Sully,” Will says, his voice deadly soft. “You can say whatever the hell you want to me, but leave her out of this.”
Sully stalks over to us. “How long has this been going on, Maverick? No wonder you don’t want anything to do with Lilly. You have everything you need right here with Emmy.”
He takes another step toward Will until they’re standing nose to nose. “How f*cking long?”
I slip between them and put my hand on Sully’s chest. “Sully, please don’t do this. You don’t know the whole story.”
Will gently tugs me behind him in a protective gesture. Unfortunately, this doesn’t escape Sully’s notice.
“Aww. How f*cking sweet. Guarding your lady.” Sully’s practically vibrating with rage. “Are you that f*cking stupid to think I’d hurt my own sister?”
Will doesn’t respond, but he doesn’t look away from Sully, either.
“Sul, would you just listen for a minute?” I try to move closer, but Will’s grip keeps me firmly behind him.
He ignores me. “Tell me how long you’ve been after my sister, Maverick. Tell me, or I’ll beat it out of you.”
“I haven’t been after her,” Will says calmly. “Nothing ever happened before this trip.”
“Oh, I see,” Sully says, barking out a laugh. “So you waited until she was alone to make your move? That’s classy.”
“You really think I f*cking planned this?” Will asks quietly. “Come on, Sul. You know me better than that.”
“Obviously, I don’t know shit about you!” Sully jabs Will in the chest with his finger. “I trusted you. You’re supposed to be my best friend! What a f*cking joke.”
I’m dimly aware of footsteps running up the stairs and loud, worried voices. Any second, our friends will stumble onto this awful, ugly little scene.
Will’s face is a mix of anger, hurt, and shame as Sully stares him down. He looks physically sick, and it’s killing me. I know how much Will’s struggled with all this. How much we both have.
I finally break free of Will’s hold. “Sully, stop. Please.” I try to pull him away from Will, but it’s useless. I’m not strong enough.
Thick veins stand out in my brother’s neck, and his face is beet red with anger. I’ve never seen him this enraged, and it’s terrifying. He glances in my direction, but I can tell he doesn’t really see me.
His gaze falls back on Will. “Tell me the truth. Did you f*ck my sister?”