Page 34 of Off-Limits

"It wasn't a lie," I say firmly. "Not exactly." I sigh, running a hand through my hair in frustration as I try to make him understand. "Look, I'm not proud of what happened, especially because it hurt you, but I can't regret it either. Not when being with Mia feels so fucking right."

Ryan's face darkens at that, and I know that he's reaching the end of his patience.

"Don't," he says sharply, pointing a finger in my direction as if to warn me off from saying anything else. "I don't want to hear about how 'right' it feels for you to be fucking my little sister behind my back."

Mia flinches at that, and I know she isn't taking it well. We both wish this weren't even happening.

"Ryan," she whispers. "Can't you try to understand? Can't you just accept that I'm an adult now and that I can make my own decisions?"

He looks down at his little sister, and for a moment, I think he might actually apologize for being so crude.

But then his gaze shifts back to me, and the cold fury returns to his expression.

"I can't believe you," he says, shaking his head in disgust. "I thought we were friends—brothers, even. But now..." He trails off, looking away from us both as if unable to bear the sight of our faces anymore.

"We still are," I say quietly. "Or at least, we could be again."

Ryan scoffs at that, turning back to face me with a sneer. "You think so, huh?"

I nod firmly, holding his gaze despite the challenge in it. "I know so."

He considers this for another moment before finally speaking again.

"Alright then," he says, fisting his right hand. "Prove it to me."

"What?" I ask, taken aback by the sudden turn in the conversation. "What do you mean?"

I'm puzzled. I have no idea what he wants me to do.

Ryan crosses his arms over his chest, his expression challenging as he regards us both.

"I want you to prove that you really love Mia and that you're not just using her for your own gain or some twisted sense of revenge against me," he says. "And I want you to do it in a way that doesn't involve betraying any more trust or breaking any more promises."

I think about this, trying to figure out what kind of 'proof' Ryan might be asking for.

"Okay," I say after some careful ponderation, turning to look at Mia. She meets my gaze steadily, her expression calm and collected despite the tension in the air between us all. "What do you suggest?"

Ryan considers this for a moment before speaking again.

"I want you to leave," he says simply. "Both of you. Mia too."

"What?" she exclaims, sounding just as shocked as I feel. "Why would we do that?"

He shrugs nonchalantly, but I can see the calculation in his eyes.

"Because it's the only way I'll ever be able to trust you again," he says. I'm not sure I understand his reasoning, but I don't stop him. "I need time—time away from both of you—to figure out how I really feel about this whole thing." He pauses, then adds, "And maybe, with a huge amount of luck, when we're all a little less emotional and a little more rational, we can talk about it without wanting to kill each other."

He's projecting, but I don't say that. I'd never hurt him.

Mia looks at me uncertainly, and I can see the concern in her eyes. She's not sure if this is really what Ryan wants or if he's just trying to get rid of us for his own reasons.

But as I look between my best friend and the woman I love, I know that this is our only chance to make things right between us all.

"Okay," I finally say, making up my mind. "We'll go." I turn to Mia, who still looks unconvinced. I know it's a difficult thing to do, but beggars can't be choosers. "But we're not going far—just enough distance for Ryan to feel like he has the space he needs."

She nods slowly, her expression softening slightly as she realizes that this might really be our best option. I can't think of anything else we could do.

"Fine," she says, turning back to face her brother once more. "But only if you promise to keep in touch and tell us how you're feeling as soon as you can."

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