Page 42 of No Way Home
This was going to be the hard part. Right here. “But we talked about why you’ve been so horrible to me, and he admitted that he made you lie about going to UVA. And thathe wasn’t covering for you.Youwere covering forhim. So I wouldn’t find out it was his idea.”
He said nothing, just propped his hands on his hips, eyes hooded, waiting for the rest.
So I continued. “He admitted that you’ve been mean to me because he told you, you’d better make sure I think you’re a douchebag—so I’d never want to even be friends with you.”
He glanced away, his jaw pulsing. “Why would he do that?”
“Because I told him I was going to break up with him if he didn’t tell me the freaking truth.”
Bowen’s face went pale.
I stepped closer, looking him in the eye. “This nonsense has to stop. I won’t do it another day.” I made my voice firm. “I have no desire to be part of a family—even as a girlfriend—where my boyfriend is downright hateful to his brother because he’s insecure.” My disgust escaped with a huff. “It’s toxic and unhealthy and I can’t be a part of it. I won’t.”
He looked like a deer caught in the headlights. “He’s just…you don’t…he…he’s….” His hands tugged at his hair, and he turned around, his back making a wall between us. “What else did he tell you?”
“Just that he’s been insecure and that he manipulated you. Told you not to even breathe in my direction when we were at school.”
He said nothing, his silence written in the strained lines of his back, every flex making my heart stutter. The urge to hug him overwhelmed me, but I kept my arms at my side. He did not want a hug. Not from me. His body language told me that.
“Bowen,” I whispered. When he didn’t respond, I put a hand on his shoulder, gently turning him toward me. His face was guarded, but his eyes flickered with a raw, awkward vulnerability, like he wished the ground would swallow himwhole. “You don’t deserve what Griffin has put you through. Or what you’ve put yourself through.”
His chin lifted. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Then tell me.”
“Why do you even care?” I’d embarrassed him, which was exactly what I was trying to avoid.
I sighed. “Because I do. Any decent person would. But also, because I’ve been the recipient of your efforts to keep your brother happy, and let me tell you, being collateral damagesucks.” I almost didn’t get the last word out.
The first tear I ever shed for Bowen Dupree streaked down my cheek. As I wiped it away, something in him broke too. Two years of silence and steel, undone in an instant.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, eyes wide, expression pleading.
“Save it.” My voice trembled. “It’s too little, too late.”
His hands flew out. “What do you want me to do? How can I make it up to you?”
“I’ll tell you what I told Griffin. If you’re snarky, one more time, or rude, cold, cutting, indifferent, pretend I don’t exist, or any of the other hurtful things you’ve done to appease him? I walk.” I tossed my thumb back over my shoulder toward the path that led to my car. “So help me, I am not kidding. We will run this as friends, or I’ll quit. The race. Griff. All of it.”
“Friends?” he asked in a tone that said he was terrified.
“Yes, friends.” I cocked an eyebrow, letting him know I meant every word. “Just like a normal boyfriend’s brother would be. The same way you’re friends with Charlie or Cash.”
“Okay. But…” He rubbed his chin, studying me. “How are we going to be friends when you’re still really mad at me? Or hurt? Or…whatever?”
“You’re right. I am all of those things, and I might be for a l-long time,” I choked. “We went to the same university and I wasn’t allowed to even speak to you.” Another stupid tear fell. “You saved my life and I couldn’t talk to you about it after. All that time we were in Charlottesville, we could’ve hung out or at least been cordial—butno. And now it’s over. There’s no going back.” I lifted the hem of my tank and wiped my eyes. “Do you have any idea how much that sucked?”
“Yes,” he said in a hush. “It sucked for me too. That’s why I made you the pictures.”
I nodded, eyes swimming. “Well, that’s something at least.”
He held his hand out for me to shake. “Do over?”
He could not be serious. A dumb handshake wouldn’t erase what he’d done—and I gave him a stare that said so.
“Hi, I’m Bowen,” he tried anyway. “Griffin’s brother.” He shoved his hand closer. “Architecture major and proud Cavalier.”
I shook my head.
