Page 82 of Beautiful Scars

Z turns his gaze to me, arching his brow. His expression is otherwise neutral. "About?" His voice is calm, steady.

He knows exactly what I'm talking about.

"This." I open my arms and sweep them around the kitchen. "All of this. I thought—" I sneer, curling my lip in disgust. "Is this why I haven't heard anything from you in weeks? Too busy playing house?"

Zane's eyes narrow and his voice drops dangerously low. "I would choose your next words very carefully, if I were you. You have no idea what you're talking about," he warns.

Ty takes the opportunity to slip out of the kitchen, brushing past me without a word.

“I'm not a fucking idiot you know. Is this why you were so anxious to get me out of town?" The words taste like acid on my tongue. "You wanted her all to yourself."

Sunny's mouth drops open in shock. She stays silent but takes a step, positioning herself so she's standing slightly behind Z as my voice escalates. He shoots me a glare as he moves himself closer to her. The protective gesture only feeds my building rage.

"How long?" My voice thunders through the kitchen, and Sunny's whole body jerks as if I've struck her. I see her hands start to shake, her chest rising and falling as her breath comes in quick, shallow breaths. Her eyes are still focused on me, but they’re clouded with fear.

I hate myself for the words, but I can’t make them stop.

"I said how long," I hiss through gritted teeth. There's a far away voice somewhere in the back of my mind, screaming at me to stop. To walk away before it's too late. Before I say something I can't take back. But I don't. I can't.

"Levi," Zane's voice is calm, but full of warning as he speaks, "I won't warn you again."

Sunny cringes, letting her forehead fall against Zane's arm. My brain is flooded with the memory of a terrified seventeen-year-old Sunny stepping behind me that way—letting me put myself between her and the monster, between her and Garrett. Except this time, I'm the one she's afraid of. I'm the one she wants protection from. The realization does nothing to stop the words from pouring out.

"How long has this been going on?" I snap, my voice turning into a roar.

Sunny visibly flinches at each word as it leaves my mouth. The sight of her in Z's shirt, the easy way she was laughing, the way she trusts him—it's all too much.

Her face is hidden, but I can see her toes digging into the wooden floor. A nervous habit she never grew out of apparently. "Since he isn't going to answer me, maybe you will. How long Sunny? How long have you been fucking my best friend?"

She sucks in a sharp breath. Good, I hit a nerve. Maybe now I can get some answers.

"Is this how you've both decided to hurt me? To get revenge?" I let the words land, giving them time to sink in and find their mark.

The color drains from her face. Her eyes well with tears as she shakes her head.

"You owe me an answer. You both owe me at least that."

Those are the words. The ones that snap her out of whatever place she was stuck in. She lifts her head, looks at me, and everything shifts. Her expression hardens and the fear dissipates. Her hands curl into tight fists clenched at her sides.

She steps out from behind Z, shoulders squared, chin lifted. The frightened girl is gone, replaced by a woman who looks ready to tear me apart with her bare hands.

"Just who the fuck, do you think you are?" she questions. Her voice trembles with rage.

Fury blazes in her eyes, pinning me in place. She moves forward, each step deliberate and charged.

"Idon't owe you anything Levi. Not one damn thing. How dare you come in here and demand anything from me." Her voice, razor-sharp cuts through the kitchen.

Z moves to step between us, but Sunny raises her hand, stopping him cold. He backs down and she advances.

"You gave up any rights you had with me the night you left me."

The sight of her standing there, arms crossed, body trembling with anger, shatters a part of me. I made a mistake. I wish I could take it back. Start over.

"You want honesty Levi? Wanna hear my secrets?" Her laugh is bitter, nothing like the sweet sound from moments ago.

She takes her final step forward, jabbing her finger into my chest looking up at me, defiance shining bright in her eyes as she continues. "Let's start with an easy one."

Sunny leans in, her voice little more than a whisper. "That night? I remember everything, Levi.”

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