Page 143 of Let You Love Me

But the more I think about it, the more doubt creeps in.

The memory of how pissed Chance was when he saw us together for the first time. Purposely fucking with me during games by switching up plays. The booze bottle in my locker. Showing up on Halloween in my place. Calling last-minute meetings when he knows she and I are together.

The confrontation today on the sidewalk.

Suddenly, it all makes sense.

It’s not like I’ve advertised to her the shit Chance has given me, but if he and Lane were ever together, it certainly explains his behavior.

My thoughts take an immediate detour to Knox and despite my best intentions, I can’t help but compare him to Lane. All these years we were friends, and I had no idea he was really the enemy. All the years I thought I knew him but never really did.

This is different, I tell myself.

Not if she lied.

My stomach roils. I don’t even know Lane is hiding anything. I’m probably just a jealous asshole, reacting to a stupid photograph for no reason. Maybe I’m reading into the picture, seeing things that aren’t there. Maybe Lane had a crush on Chance when they were younger. As much as I fucking hate the idea, it’s not out of the realm of possibility. And it’s certainly not a crime, nor is it an indictment.

I need to get a grip and calm the fuck down. Get some sleep.

Maybe everything will look differently in the morning.

Maybe I’ll realize I have nothing to worry about.

I’m letting my exhaustion get the better of me.

All I can do now is close my eyes tighter and pray for sleep.

Chapter 37

TEAGAN

Iinhale, preparing myselfto face Lane.

Sleep did little to ease the anxiety gnawing on my chest. If anything, it intensified as if the passing of time somehow confirmed what I saw.

I’m standing outside Lane’s front door after waking in her bedroom, only to find a note asking me to sneak out and knock because Sophie thinks I’m coming for breakfast.

I know she just doesn’t want to confuse Sophie. Explaining why I spent the night with a child’s mother isn’t on my top ten of things I ever want to fucking do.

But with the photo fresh in my mind, I can’t help but feel like an afterthought, a mistake.

You’re being fucking ridiculous.

Lifting my fist, I knock on the door and wait as I hear footsteps from within. A minute later, a beaming Sophie swings open the door. “Mom’s making bacon!”

I grin and my heart does a slow roll as she reaches out to grab my hand and drags me inside to where Lane stands in front of the stove, a gorgeous smile lighting up her whole face.

“Hey.” I lift a chin and smother the anxiety ballooning in my chest when I realize I’m squeezing Sophie’s hand a little too tight.

Exhaling, I force myself to relax, telling myself, once again, that it’s just a picture. Probably nothing. I’d asked her from the start if she and Chance ever dated and she said no at a time when she had no reason to lie to me.

But a picture’s worth a thousand words . . .

My free hand clenches.

Lane turns and reaches out, drawing me into a hug which feels a little like she’s holding me together. “Hi, again,” she whispers in my ear.

My face falls to the top of her head and I inhale, breathing in the floral scent of her shampoo. I could get high off this scent, but instead of soothing my nerves, it only amplifies them.

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