Page 29 of Jacob

“Fuck off.” My brows pinch together. “She told me that she got herself off in the shower after she watched me and the whole time, she was thinking about me.”

“Fuck, that’s hot, Jay. Sweet Skye is not so sweet after all.” He pauses. “And she knows all the presents were from you?”

“Yeah.” Then I confess, “She saw the tattoo I dedicated to her across my back when we were in the hot tub together.”

“So that’s what your tattoo means? You’re a fucking mess.”

“Helpful.”

“C’mon, Jay. You gotta admit that if you’d just fucking told her all those years ago, then you wouldn’t be in this position.”

If only I’d been brave enough to stand up for what I wanted.“I know. So what do I do?”

“You’re the one I come to for advice because I am shit at this relationship malarkey. If it wasn’t for Violet, I would still be one lonely fuck-up myself.”

“Dig deep. Tell me what to do, Lincoln.”

“Let me help.” Violet’s voice startles me.

“I maybe should have said you’re on speakerphone.” Lincoln clears his throat, as if he’s trying to hide the laughter in his voice.

“What the fuck, man?” I yell, annoyed that he didn’t tell me Violet was there.

“We share everything. So let her help.”

I don’t get a chance to respond as Violet’s California accent appears again. “Was she upset when she went to bed, Jacob?”

“Yes.”

“Then apologize. You should do that first. Then be honest with her and tell her exactly how you feel. Explain to her it’s not some high-school crush anymore. Then ask her what she wants. You’re so wrapped up in your own feelings, but have you considered hers?” Violet keeps throwing me advice. “Then explain how your loyalty lies with Owen. He’s your boy at the end of the day. Linc and Owen both are. You’ve always been tight and I know from speaking with Linc, Owen hasn’t had the most loving upbringing and he’s troubled right now. As soon as you get back to Castleview Cove, you need to speak to him. Not over the phone either, it needs to be a face-to-face conversation. Man to man.”

That makes so much sense.

“Understood?” she asks.

“Got it.” My heart is fucking racing. “Do you think Owen will punch me in the nuts when I tell him how I feel?”

“Aw, fuck, yeah, but it’ll be worth it if you win the girl of your dreams.” I hear a smacking noise, then Lincoln whines, “Christ, for a wee thing, you’re strong. That hurt.”

“It was only a light smack on your shoulder. Stop being such a big baby,” Violet says firmly.

They make me chuckle.

Violet’s reassuring voice sings down the earpiece. “He won’t punch you in the nuts, Jacob, because you’re going to be honest. Okay? Full disclosure.”

She makes it sound so simple.

“Feel better?” she asks.

“Yeah. I actually do.”

“Well, I don’t.” Lincoln fake-huffs. “I think you broke my shoulder.”

“Oh, shut up, Lincoln.” Violet laughs.

“Thanks, guys.”

“You know we love you, Jacob. Both you and Owen,” Violet says. “We won’t pick sides, but you have to do the honorable thing and tell him first before you even think about making moves.”

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