Page 158 of Untamed

“I expect you to be smart and stay away from him, Jordyn.”

“I don’t know what it is you think is going on between us, but you’re wrong.”

“Oh really?” she fires back. “Then tell me why you looked like someone gutted you when you found out Ares is getting engaged. Tell me why you ran off without a word right after. You’ve been acting off for weeks, Jordyn. And now, suddenly, you disappear overnight and expect me to believe you just needed space?”

I stay silent, but it only fuels her suspicion.

She steps forward, voice lowering. “Were you with him?”

“What?” I blink, too fast. “No.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

“I’m not lying.”

“You are,” she snaps. “You flinched when I said his name. Your voice changed. You won’t even look at me.” she reaches over, and lifts my gaze so I’m looking at her.

I pull my face out of her grip, square my shoulders, and force myself to meet her eyes. “Why on earth would I be with Ares?”

“You tell me. Because the way he looks at you? It’s not normal, Jordyn. It’s not innocent.”

I sigh and shake my head, trying to brush it off, but Bianca doesn’t move. Her eyes narrow slightly as she studies me, really studies me. And then something shifts in her expression.

She tilts her head. “Wait...”

“What?” I mutter, already regretting coming back.

“There’s something different about you.” Her voice is quieter now, more measured. “You’re not just being defensive. You’re... glowing or something. And you flinched when I said his name, but not like you were scared. Like you’d been caught.”

I freeze.

Bianca stares at me, disbelief creeping into her voice. “Oh my God. Did you sleep with him?”

My heart stutters. “What? No.”

Her brows shoot up. “Jordyn.”

“I didn’t!” I retort too quickly.

Bianca just stares, mouth parting slightly as realisation starts to settle in the silence between us.

She whispers, “You did.”

“I didn’t,” I say again, but it’s useless now. The lie doesn’t even sound like a lie. It sounds like a confession I haven’t had the strength to make yet.

Bianca takes a step closer, like she’s trying to see the truth in my eyes. “Jordyn…”

“Jesus Bianca,” I shake my head, voice sharp now. “Do you hear yourself?”

She blinks.

“You’re standing here accusing me of sleeping with someone who, according to you, was indirectly responsible for getting our parents killed.” My throat burns. “Do you realise how messed up that sounds?”

Her face falls, just slightly.

“Is that really who you think I am?” I press. “Some girl who would run off and crawl into the bed of the man who ruined her life?”

Bianca falters, guilt flickering across her features, but I don’t give her time to respond. “Just drop it, Bianca. I’m tired. I needed a break. I stayed with a friend. That’s all. You and everyone else need to stop treating me like I’m some fucking child. I’ll be twenty in a couple of weeks. Stop riding my ass and let me breathe for fucksake.”

---