Page 55 of Redemption

I cross my arms over my chest. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Beck swallows. “It means it wasn’t like that.”

“What my good pal here is tryin’ to say,” Clayton offers, “is that he and Nicky never did much talkin’ during the time they spent together. There was no substance behind it. She was just a warm hole to sink his dick into.”

I gasp at the same time beer goes spraying out of Beck’s mouth. “Christ, Clayton. Really? I was trying to be a goddamn gentleman.”

Clay holds up his hands in surrender. “I’m just telling it like it is, buddy.”

I take deep breaths, telling myself to calm down. Obviously, I know Beck had slept with Nicky, likely many, many times. Still, the visual my brother just planted in my head is something I could’ve gone my whole life without. And the worst part is, this town is too small to avoid her altogether, especially if I’m going to be workin’ here. This is the only place in town that serves alcohol. It’s where most people around here go for dates because the next closest option is thirty minutes away. I thought I could do this, but being faced with the drama head-on, I’m not so sure anymore.

I wipe my sweaty palms on the half apron I’m wearing. “I’ll be right back.”

Beck gets up from his stool when I start walking away. “Pres—”

I hold my hand up. “I’m fine, Beckett. I just need a minute.”

“Thanks a lot, asshole,” I hear Beck mutter behind my back because, of course, he’s following me.

He catches up to me right as I’m pushing through the door to Clayton’s office. I spin around when I hear him lock the door behind us.

“Beckett, I told you I needed a minute. What part of that do you not understand?”

“I told you I’m done giving you space, Presley.”

I park a hand on my hip. “You also told me you’d give me time, which is what I just asked for.”

His jaw tics. “Not when you get that look in your eye like you’re gettin’ ready to run.”

I sigh as I prop my butt against the edge of Clay’s desk. “I’m not running away. I just... needed a minute to think.”

“What happened back there, Pres?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “It’s stupid. I’m being stupid.”

“Hey.” Goose bumps form on my arms when he pulls my hand away from my face. He waits until I look up before speaking again. “I don’t want to hear you say things like that. Now, tell me what happened back there.”

I shrug. “When Clay... what he said... it made me picture things I never wanted to think about. I know I have no right to be bothered by it, but it still leaves a sick feeling in my stomach.”

Beck cringes. “If I could take it all back, so you’d never have to deal with things like this, I would.”

I shake my head. “That’s my point, Beckett. You shouldn’t have to. You had every right to date whoever you wanted. My insecurities are just getting the best of me.”

“Pres.” He places his hands over each side of my jaw and presses his forehead against mine. “You have nothing to be insecure about. You’re all I see. You’re all I’ve ever seen. Nicole, or anyone else for that matter, was a futile attempt to take my mind off of you.”

“Yeah... well... some habits are hard to break.”

Beck pulls back and searches my eyes. “What’d he do to you?”

I avert my eyes. There are so many different ways to answer that question, and none of them are pleasant.

“Maybe this was a mistake, Beckett.”

His entire body stiffens.

“What you and I had was over a long time ago. Maybe trying to recreate that is wishful thinking. I’m a mess, and I don’t know if I’ll ever fully get back to the girl I was.”

He puts slight pressure on my jaw, prompting me to look at him. “Listen to me, Presley. What we had is not over. It was—”

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