Page 41 of Knot What She Seems

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No.

No.

No.

“Brylee? Are you feeling okay?” Jamie’s eyes are wide with concern, and he takes a step toward me.

But it’s too late. Everything that has transpired over the past few days… All of it culminates into one giant pile of shit. Alpha Team X, which just so happens to be my scent match. Teddie. Eros Academy. My flashbacks. My paranoia.

I topple forward precariously, dark specks erupting across my vision.

I’m unconscious before I even hit the ground.

14

BRYLEE

Wakingup on my bed with the sourdough scent of Alpha Jamie wafting from my clothes—he must have carried me up to my room—I take a second to wallow in burning humiliation that tastes like bile and regret.

That’s before the anger takes hold because I was ambushed.

Rolling onto my stomach, I reach for my phone and snatch it off the nightstand. My fingers punch at the screen far harder than necessary as I text Teddie.

Brylee

Did you know?

Teddie

She just told me five minutes ago. Apparently after you fainted. Way to make a first impression.

Brylee

You are NOT mocking me right now.

Teddie

She totally sucks for doing it. I’m trying to talk to Dad about it.

Dad will never oppose Mom, so I don’t know why Ted thinks he’ll do any good.

Brylee

Remind them you’re the heir and I’m just the spare…

I start to type the message but don’t hit send. That sort of thing used to make my brother smug. But nowadays it makes his face droop like a wilting flower. Erasing that, I change the message to:

Brylee

Tell them I say no.

Teddie

You tell them that.

Brylee

I’m going to be a spinster. That’s final.

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