Page 162 of Mexico Can Choke On It
Gavin’s face is disorientation, then disbelief, then rage.
“So, while I’m busting my ass mapping out our company’s future, you’re planning your little escape? And screwing my sister behind my back?”
“It wasn’t like that. I never meant—”
“Meant what? To get caught? To have your old man sweep in and clean up your mess?” He steps toward me. “You’re exactly like him—you use people, lie, manipulate everyone around you to get what you want.”
The accusation hits me like a bullet to the chest. “Gavin, please—”
My father stands, adjusting his cuffs, with the casual indifference of a man who has orchestrated another flawless takedown.
“Well, this has been enlightening.” His hand clamps down on my shoulder. “I’m honoring our deal, son. Your friend keeps his little company. Heartvest lives on. But tomorrow.” He doesn’t blink. “You honor yours.”
I nod in defeat.
“Gentlemen, you have much to discuss,” he says, pausing with a smirk. “I’ll leave you to it.”
The door closes shut like a coffin lid.
I focus on the Persian rug beneath my feet—intricate patterns that suddenly seem less complex than the mess I’ve made of everything. Gavin’s stare bores into me like a laser. I can’t bring myself to meet his eyes.
“Look at me… I saidlookat me, you coward.”
I force my gaze upward and regret it immediately. The hatred blazing in his eyes is too much.
“Tell me it’s not true. Tell me you didn’t use my sister.”
The desperation in his voice is more pain than anger. He’s pleading for me to prove his world isn’t collapsing. I don’t breathe. It’s the kind of stillness that comes right before a crash.
“Say it! Say it’s not true, Bryce!”
“I can’t.”
He stumbles back as if the floor has given out.
His eyes dart around the room like he’s wanting to wake up from a nightmare. He starts pacing, his movements jerky and erratic.
“The ATV ride? When you both vanished off-trail and left me searching for twenty minutes? The massage room? When I walked in and you looked like you’d been caught screwing the spa staff.Jesus Christ… It was her, wasn’t it?”
Each one hits like a slap I should have seen coming.
“You took advantage of my little sister! She always followed you around like a love-sick puppy, and youknewit. But I told myself, ‘It’s Bryce, my best friend. He would never touch the one person I’dburn the world down to protect.’ No fucking wonder Petra cracked at the rehearsal. She had just found out who you really are.”
His eyes find mine, and all the built-up trust I’ve earned combusts.
“It’s not what you think.”
“What I know is you’re a scheming piece of garbage who’s been playing everyone around you! How many lies, Bryce? How many fucking lies are there?”
“I love her, Gavin.” The confession rips out of me. “I’m in love with Petra.”
Gavin stops cold, then lunges toward me. His finger jabs into my chest hard enough to bruise.
“LOVE? You think what you did is LOVE?”
CRACK.
His fist connects with my jaw before I can register. The impact sends me staggering backward, my head snapping to the side as the taste of copper floods my mouth. Pain explodes across my face.
