Page 122 of Power Shift

“He was a weasel.”

Landon chokes on a laugh. “Yeah, he was. That’s not what I’m getting at, though.”

“What, then?”

“When we got to his place, you went to greet him and overheard him talking shit about my dad. He was running his mouth about his washed-up career and how I was wasting my time on the ice trying to be better than him.”

I remember every word that guy said and the fight that broke out afterward.

Landon continues, not giving me a chance to interrupt.

“You were never the guy to cause a scene. It was always you, the three of us, and the computer you spent two summers of savings to buy. But that night? You stormed over to Kale and bull tackled him in into his pool.”

“I never wanted to be friends with that guy, anyway,” I say.

“No, but if you hadn’t tackled him, you’d have gotten a chance at checking out his gaming room, and I know you wanted that bad at the time. It’s the only reason we went there in the first place.”

“A gaming room was never more important to me than you, Lan. Like you said, we’re pack. Even back then.”

“Exactly. Over and over again, you’ve given up things you’ve wanted because I’ve either had a negative interaction with someone or lost out on an opportunity that they opted out of offering me. Your loyalty is unshakable. Back then and right now.”

I shift on the couch. “Is there a point to this walk through history?”

“Yeah, smartass. You’re too busy worrying about me and how I feel that you’re not thinking of yourself.”

“You’re the second person to say that to me now,” I say.

“And are you listening?”

“You want me to give her a chance when you’ve been doing the opposite for weeks.”

He nods, not hiding from the accusation. “And I’m dealing with that now.”

“Why the change of heart?”

“That’s what I want to talk to all of you about.”

I lean back, relaxing slightly. “I can accept that.”

“For what it’s worth, Dash, I’m sorry for getting between you and Briar.”

“Why should you apologize? I inserted you there all on my own.”

“So, you’re admitting it, then,” he says far too smugly.

I chuff a laugh. “Have you known this entire time what I’ve been doing?”

“For as long as you’ve been doing it. I couldn’t face it without owning my own shit first.”

“And you’re ready for that now,” I say, trying not to sound sceptical but failing.

“Yes. You could say that.”

39

JASPER

HavingBriar back in my arms is like breathing freely after having a bag over my head. I inhale her lemon shortbread scent and hum in satisfaction as she hugs me tight and nuzzles her head beneath my chin.

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