Page 66 of Faking with Three

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Marcus says, sitting up straighter, his calm demeanor cracking for the first time.

“You think you’ve got her figured out just because you had one good night together?” I counter. “Newsflash: that doesn’t mean you know her.”

Ethan’s head swivels between us, his brows furrowed. “Seriously? You’re both going to pretend you’re not doing the same thing? Trying to one-up each other while Olivia decides if she wants any of us?”

Marcus glares at him. “And you’re so above it all, huh? You’re the one who gave her an ultimatum.”

Ethan stiffens, his jaw tightening. “I didn’t mean to pressure her. I just…” He trails off, his expression softening. “I just needed to know where we all stand.”

“Where we stand?” I scoff, leaning against the counter. “You mean whereyoustand. You’ve always thought you were the front-runner, didn’t you? Like you’ve got some claim on her because of your history.”

“That’s not fair,” Ethan says, his voice rising. “This isn’t about claiming her. It’s about?—”

“About what? Winning?” Marcus cuts in. “Because that’s what it feels like.”

Silence stretches between us, thick and suffocating.

Finally, Ethan sighs and rubs the back of his neck. “Look, this isn’t how I wanted things to go. I don’t want to fight with you guys. But Olivia… she’s different. She makes me feel?—”

“Like you can’t breathe when she’s not around?” I interrupt, my voice quieter now. “Like she’s in your head, even when you don’t want her to be?”

Marcus nods slowly, his gaze distant. “Yeah. Exactly like that.”

The sound of someone clearing their throat interrupts our conversation. I turn around to see Olivia waiting there, her arms hugged to herself.

Her cheeks slightly flushed as if she’s been running or debating whether to come in. Her green blouse clings in all the right places, and her dark jeans hug her curves. Her hair falls in loose waves around her face, and a calm determination in her expression immediately sets me on edge.

“I have news,” she says, her voice steady but guarded.

Ethan straightens, his eyes narrowing slightly. “What kind of news?”

She steps further inside, her gaze flicking between us. For a moment, she hesitates, glancing at the bouquet on the counter.Her lips twitch as if she’s about to smile, but it fades just as quickly.

“The kind that might change everything,” she says simply.

My heart is pounding so loud I’m surprised no one else can hear it. Olivia stands there, her hand tightening on the envelope like it holds a live grenade.

“What’s in the envelope?” Marcus asks, his voice calm but laced with tension.

Olivia hesitates, her gaze darting at him for a brief second before she looks back at Ethan and me. “Before I open this, I need to say something.”

The weight of her words sinks into the room. I don’t even realize I’m holding my breath until my chest aches.

“I’m not here to talk about… you three,” she says, motioning between us. “At least, not yet. There’s something bigger going on, and it needs to be addressed first.”

Ethan steps forward, his expression tightening. “What do you mean? Is this about Charlie?”

“Yes,” she says, her voice clipped.

“And Jax.”

I blink, unsure if I heard her right. “What?” The word barely comes out, more breath than sound.

Marcus straightens, his brows pulling together. “What are you talking about, Olivia?”

Olivia holds out an envelope, her hand trembling slightly. “Jax, open it.”

The room freezes. My stomach tightens as I take the envelope from her, my fingers brushing against hers.

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