Page 53 of The Road Less Traveled By

But this feels different for some reason. I don't hate it, but nothing could ever happen between the two of us. Bree’s drowning in her own mind most of the time, and she’s my client. I wouldneverput her in that position. She deserves better than me, and after all of this is over, I’ll just be a distant memory.

We’ll both move on, and I’ll be okay with that.

But as I walk away from our interaction, the sinking feeling in my gut gets heavier and heavierwith each step I take.

— THE ARCHER BY TAYLOR SWIFT

“Bree, you were shotat! Did you forget about that, or do I have to remind you?” My sister yells at me, rightfully so, as I sit on her couch. Liv is standing in front of me, pacing back and forth on the rug that sits underneath her coffee table.

“Livvy, baby, you’re going to burn a line into the carpet if you keep pacing.” Tristan gets up off the loveseat and grabs her shoulder, trying to maneuver her to sit, but she shrugs off his hands.

“Tristan, stop. You were shot at, too! Why am I the only one taking this seriously?” Liv’s hands get thrown up into the air, and I shift uncomfortably. Ihatethat I worried her so much, but it’s hard for me to talk about what’s been going on in my head lately.

“Liv, it’s been an insane few months. I think Bree just needed a little room to breathe,” Teags tells her, and I’m glad she’s here. Since she witnessed one of my episodes in person, she can help explain why I wanted to keep it a secret. I feel like shit for lying to her, but I also feel like shit for making her worry this much.

I shift again, not knowing if it’s my clothes I’m feeling uncomfortable in or just my body in general.

“I understand that, I do. But Bree, I’m your sister! You should be able to come to me about these things. I’m not like our parents. I don't want to smother you. I just want to make sure you’re doing okay.”

“Liv, I know, but—”

Tristan cuts me off. “Livvy, just take a few breaths. Imagine you were in her situation—”

Liv cuts him off. “Tristan, you could've been killed! Both of you could’ve been seriously hurt! I could have lost both of you. So before you tell me I’m overreacting, put yourself inmyshoes.”

“Pretty girl, I—”

Teags cut him off. “Everyone is making valid points, but can you guys let Bree talk?”

I lock eyes with my best friend before I give her a small smile. Teagen is the youngest in her family, and she knows just as well as I do that barely being able to get two words in is a trait of being the youngest. Nobody ever really wants to listen to what you have to say sometimes, and it used to be a fight with my parents when they would never let me get a word in aboutmycareer.

“Thanks, Teags.”

I hear my sister sigh before she grabs both of my hands in hers. “I’ll never stop worrying about you, Bree. All I’m asking is that I’m kept in the loop.” Her eyes flit to Vince, who sits at my right. “You promised me I was being kept in the loop.”

What?“What are you talking about?”

“The only thing I promised you was that I’d keep her safe. My allegiance is to Bree, first and foremost. Her safety is the only thing I care about. That's all I think about twenty-four-seven,” Vince tells her, his voice low and quiet.

I hate to admit that hearing him say that turned me on a little bit.

What is it about protective men?

“Look, Liv, I’m sorry I’ve distanced myself from you the past few weeks. Saying I’ve had a lot going on is the understatement of the century, but I didn't want Ralph to put a target on your back, too, especially after what he sent to my house—” I stop myself because the one thing Ididn'twant Liv knowing was that one of the bullets had her name on it too. I didn't want to cause her any more stress or panic, but it looks like I have no choice now.

“What did he send to your house?”

I sigh heavily before I run a hand through my hair. “Nothing. Just some notes and pictures. Can we eat dinner now?”

“You’re deflecting. There’s something you’re not telling me. What did he send you, Bree?”

“Liv, just drop it. It’s better if you don't know.” I stand, ready to crawl back into my bed and never come out again.

“Bree, you should tell her,” Teags says to me. “Especially after youandTristan were shot at. It’s not a coincidence.”

“How the hell do you know about it?” I question. Nico told me he hid the bullets in his pocket when he let Teags into my house that day.How did she find out?

“Wait, what are you guys talking about?” Tristan asks.

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