Page 14 of Jagged Burn
Chapter Nine
Brothers And Blessing
Stefan Grey
I’ve fought wildfires that moved slower than my thoughts right now.
All the way home from the grocery store, Anna’s words keep looping in my head.“I’ve loved you since I was fourteen.”
Christ.She dropped that bomb like it was nothing, like she didn’t just rip open a wound I’ve been stitching shut for years.She did it in front of half the damn town too, everyone heard her words.She meant what she said, and it flayed me open to know she really didn’t care what other people thought.
The past flashes in my mind on a rapid loop.Every laugh she gave me back then, every smart-ass comment, every time she looked at me like I was more than Matt’s best friend, it all makes sense now.And it’s terrifying.Because I’ve wanted her too.Always.And that makes me the worst kind of bastard.
I grip the steering wheel harder, keeping my eyes fixed on the road.Anna hums along with the radio, relaxed like she didn’t just shatter every wall I have ever built between us.She doesn’t notice my hands shaking, doesn’t see the sweat dampening the back of my neck.Or maybe she does, and she’s just giving me space to drown.
When we pull into my driveway, Matt’s truck is already there and my stomach drops.
“Fucking perfect,” I mutter under my breath.
Anna straightens, frowning.“What’s he doing here?”
“Probably here to rip me a new one.”
“For what?”
I shoot her a look.She knows.Gossip spreads through this damn town faster than wildfire and we probably hadn’t even finished shopping before he knew about the entire scene.
Her lips twitch.“Relax.He won’t kill you.”
“Easy for you to say.You’re not about to get strangled by your best friend because his little sister just...”I clamp my mouth shut before I spill the rest.
Too late.Her grin widens, sharp and knowing.“Because his little sister what, Stefan?”
I groan.“Forget it.”
She’s still laughing when we step out of the truck, but the sound dies the second Matt stomps off my porch.
“Grey.”His voice is a warning, and my spine stiffens automatically.Old habits.Matt Alexander might be my best friend, but when he uses that tone, I feel like I’m seventeen again and about to get caught sneaking out after curfew.
