Page 60 of The Summer We Played Pretend

“Chlo. I just... I worry about you. After what happened with Brenda—"

"This isn't like that," I insist. “What you did was completely out of line, Ethan," I say, my voice sharp enough to cut glass. "You had no right to barge in like that and attack Jackson. None."

Ethan's eyes narrow, a stubborn set to his jaw that I know all too well. “You should be thanking me."

"Thanking you?" I sputter, incredulous. "For what? Starting a fistfight in our garden?”

"For stopping you from making a huge mistake," he fires back.

I take a step closer, jabbing a finger at his chest. "You’re supposed to trust me, Ethan. I'm not a child anymore. I can make my own decisions. Jackson cares about me."

"Does he?" Ethan challenges. "Or is he just using you because you're vulnerable right now?"

The accusation hangs in the air between us, heavy and suffocating. I want to scream, to defend Jackson, to make Ethan understand. I struggle to find the words.

"Come on, Chloe. Think about it. Has Jackson ever had a serious girlfriend before? Like, ever?"

I open my mouth to argue, but the words die on my lips. I know he dated a lot in high school.

Ethan's expression softens slightly. "Exactly. Look he’s my best friend but even I know he's always been a player, Chlo.”

I shake my head vigorously. "People can change, Ethan. You don't know him like I do."

But even as I say it, doubt gnaws at the edges of my conviction.

"Maybe," Ethan concedes, "but has he given you any reason to believe he's serious about you? About your future together?"

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I think back to all the moments Jackson and I have shared over the past few weeks—the laughter, the stolen kisses, the way he looks at me like I'm the only person in the world. But when I try to picture our future...

"We haven't... I mean, it's still new," I mumble, more to myself than to Ethan.

I sink onto the edge of the toilet seat, suddenly feeling very small and very confused.

I don’t think Jackson’s taking advantage. I don’t believe he’s capable of that. I even think he’s feeling what I’m feeling. But what if he’s tricking himself, pretending he’s a relationship type of guy? What if we just got carried away playing pretend and I’m fooling myself too?

"I just don't want to see you get hurt again," Ethan says softly. “Mom told me how awful the break up with Brendan was. We were all really worried about you.”

I nod, unable to meet his eyes. "I know.”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. The scent of the antiseptic I used on Ethan's nose stings slightly.

"Look, Ethan," I say, my voice stronger than I feel. "I appreciate your concern, I really do. But these decisions are mine to make. My life, my choices."

I stand up, folding my arms in front of me. "Jackson isn't just your friend, he's become important to me too. You’ve been friends for ages. You can't throw that away over this."

Ethan scoffs, but I hold up my hand to silence him. "Please, can't you just talk to him? Clear the air? For me?"

For a moment, I think I see a flicker of uncertainty in Ethan's eyes. But then his jaw sets, his expression hardening.

"No way," he says. "I won't make nice with someone who's just going to break your heart and he should have known better than to start dating my little sister." He stands too, towering over me. "You might not see it now, but trust me, you're heading for heartbreak again. And I won't stand by and watch it happen."

As Ethan brushes past me and out of the room, his words hang in the air. I sink back onto the closed toilet seat, the plastic hard and cold against my bare legs.

I want to believe in Jackson, in us. But Ethan’s words won’t leave me alone, echoing with every mistake I’ve made before. What if I’m just fooling myself again?

Chapter Twenty-Five

Jackson

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