Page 23 of Hold Your Breath

This is kind of the opposite to where I thought Jacewas going with this. Willow stands and pulls her pants down a little to show her stretch marks on her hips.

“See? Everyone has something, no matter how they look. We are all human and have flaws, but I think it’s best to find the things youdolike about yourself and celebrate them. Like I have a really nice co?—”

“Jace,” I snap. “Be respectful.”

“Shit, sorry. I don’t think before I speak sometimes. Words just come out of my mouth.”

“It’s fine, you can say cock around me,” Willow interjects. “I’m not twelve.”

Zac gets up and collects the plate with the steaks, but I grab his wrist as he walks past, stopping him. He looks back at me and winks, letting me know he’s okay. Releasing him, I watch as he walks over to the grill.

“Cock, cock, cock, cock,” Jace chirps, and I shake my head at him. I swear sometimes he does have the mental maturity of a twelve-year-old. So many times, I have woken up to him putting his balls on my face. No idea why, besides the fact that he thinks it’s funny.

Jace asks Willow a million questions as I sip my beer and tune out, staring out at the lake. It’s weird... just last year when I was here, I couldn’t wait to leave and get home. Yet right now, I could imagine spending our weekends here and one day moving here full time. I love my job, but one day I would like to raise a family out here where it’s quiet.

“I wish I could live out here. It’s just so peaceful.”

The sound of Willow’s voice mirroring my exact thoughts pulls me back to the conversation. “Why don’t you?”

Willow’s eyes meet mine, and I can tell she isn’t sure if I’m being serious. “I have a house and a job.”

I smirk at her. “Your job is online. Plus, you’re the third wheel at your house, and you know it.”

“Shit, Brookie, tell her what you really think,” Jace throws at me, and I realize how bad it sounded.

“I didn’t mean it in a bad way. But your roommate’s boyfriend has dropped so many hints—I don’t know how you haven’t figured it out.”

Her brows furrow. “How would you know what he thinks?”

“Finn is the bartender at the bar we drink at. He is very vocal about wanting to settle down with his partner and live alone.”

“Just great,” Willow says, her eyes watering. “Of course, just when I think my life is on the right track, shit goes south. I can’t keep a boyfriend because I’m too needy, my best friend’s boyfriend wants me gone, and I wouldn’t be surprised if I get fired next.”

Jace wraps his arm around Willow and pulls her into his body, placing a kiss on her head. “Everything happens for a reason. If your stupid ex didn’t leave youtied to a chair, we might not have met, and I’m glad we did.”

“I wasn’t joking about you living here. It sits empty most of the year.”

Willow wipes her eyes and smiles at me. “I couldn’t impose on you, and I know you lease this place out for events and stuff.”

“Why doesn’t she move in with us at the house? We have more than enough room.”

All three of us look at Zac, who is cooking the steaks, so I add, “That is an option, I suppose, if you wanted to live with us.”

Willow looks back at me, pure confusion washing over her face. “I thought you didn’t like me. In all the years we’ve known each other, you’ve barely interacted with me.”

Jace laughs. “Babe, you read that completely wrong.”

Zac brings the cooked steaks to the table and returns to his seat, his focus back on Willow.

“I need to talk to Bray before I do anything,” she hedges. “He might not even want to live with Finn. From my understanding, he isn’t ready to take the next step... I’m only hoping it’s not because he feels sorry for me. Does anyone want another drink?”

Willow stands and we all nod. As she walks inside,I realize this is what we’ve been missing the entire time. Pushing back my chair, I get up and then head inside to help her bring the drinks out. She’s in the fridge when I walk into the kitchen, and I step behind her.

“You know I don’t hate you, right?”

A little squeak slips out of her, and she turns with our beers in her hands.

“You scared me, and how would I know that? For years you have avoided me.”

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