Page 100 of Jacob

I’ll maybe suggest that later.

Owen pushes his chair back. “Fuck.” He looks at us both again. “This is going to take some getting used to, and it’s too early for this shit. I need a drink.”

“Please don’t do that, Owen.” Skye urges him not to fall back down the hole he’s been in.

“Maybe later.” He pulls his phone out of his pocket. “Shit, I gotta go. See you around, bab—Skye.”

“I would hug you goodbye, but I don’t have any underwear on,” she says, innocently.

I pull my hand down my face. Owen’s right, this is going to take some getting used to. “Fucking hell,” I mumble.

I hear Lincoln chuckle as he heads to the front door. “Good chat, boys. I’m still pissed off at you for kissing AngelaBlackwood.” He throws shade over his shoulder at Owen as he leaves.

“And my sister,” I pipe up.

He points at Skye, who is walking back to the bedroom, waving goodbye. “Don’t. Even. Go. There.”

“Deal.”

He shoves his hands into his pockets. “You love her?”

“With my whole fucking heart.”

“I’m sorry if you feel like I took her from you.” Pain etches across his face. “I didn’t know you had such strong feelings for her.”

“You knew,” I remind him and emphasize my point. “All those years ago, I told you and then you went ahead and asked her out anyway. You knew that I liked her, Owen.”

“I’m so fucking sorry, man.”

“You treated Skye like shit.”

His forehead wrinkles. “I was a shitty boyfriend.”

“You were.”

“And an even shittier friend. I’m really fucking sorry, Jay.”

“What’s done is done. Bygones.” I can’t let what has happened linger any longer. She’s mine now. Excitement bubbles in my chest at that thought.

“How can I ever make it up to you?” He looks at me like I have all the answers.

“You don’t have to. Skye and I are together now. That’s all I have ever wanted.” Honesty rolls off my tongue.

He waits a beats before he says, “Promise me one thing.”

“Anything.”

“Don’t break her heart like I did.”

I don’t think you did.

“And hold on to her. Love her better than I ever could have. She’s?—”

“I know.” He doesn’t need to tell me how incredible she is. I already know. “Look, this is not how you were supposed to find out. I wanted to tell you face to face.”

Before I can comprehend what’s happening, he pulls me into a fierce hug and slaps me fondly on the back. “You’re a good man, Jacob. I didn’t mean the things I said about you.”

“I forgive you, but you have to forgive me, too. I should have told you years ago.”

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