Page 125 of Resurrection
"Yes. She's giving up everything for you." He rubbed a hand over his face, looking older than I’d ever seen him. "You’re leaving her with nothing."
I froze, my anger boiling up. "You don’t know what you’re talking about. You think everyone’s gonna end up like you, like this piece of shit town. Stuck and going nowhere."
He flinched as if I'd hit him. His eyes were darker, more intense, and I knew I’d cut deep. Too deep, maybe. But I didn’t care. Adri Medina had it coming.
"You think you can just waltz into our lives and take whatever you want?"
There was a beat of silence. Adri’s jaw was clenched tight, as if he was restraining himself from saying more.
I looked at him for a second. Then my gut churned at the realization.
"You're jealous? Is that it?"
A muscle twitched just below his eye. "I’m not doing this with you, Brady."
"Like hell you're not. You don’t want me to go, because it means she’s won, and you lost. You think I don’t see how fucking selfish and small of a person you really are? Trying to ruin it for her because I chose her."
His hands curled into fists, but he didn't move. I thought he was going to hit me, but his next words came out cold and controlled. "I’m trying to do what’s right for my sister."
I shook my head. "You can’t stand to see her happy. It pisses you off."
The afternoon light sliced through the garage, carving us into hard shadows. I could see how badly he wanted to get in my face, make me see things his way. But it wasn’t going to happen.
"She'll regret this, Brady. You’re setting her up for a fall."
We were talking about Naomi, but I could see the old wounds in his eyes, the ones he didn’t want to discuss. The ones that ruined our friendship.
"This isn't about you." I heard my voice shake, and I hated it.
"She needs to figure things out for herself, not follow you like a lost puppy."
"We made this decision together. So fuck off."
He took a long breath. "If you love her, really love her, you’ll let her have her chance. You’ll do what’s best for her future, not yours."
The words hit like a punch to the solar plexus. Like he’d yanked the rug out from under me, and everything I thought I knew was collapsing.
"I have a pretty good idea of what's best for her," I muttered back, unsure.
"Do you?" He paused. "You’re betting it all on a pipe dream."
"She wants to be with me."
"She’s confused. This summer could change her life, and you’re too wrapped up in your stupid goals to see that."
"Her dreams and mine are the same."
Adri shook his head, and I felt something twist inside. Like maybe I’d lost before I even knew I was playing. "You're saying I’m selfish, Ty. But you’re the one who’s selfish here. You always have been. Think about what I told you. Don’t drag Naomi down with you."
I wanted to fight, to make him understand, but the certainty in his voice ate away at my defenses.
I watched him walk away, his back straight as if he’d won. As if he knew I’d give in and do what he said.
I felt empty and full of doubt. Everything I believed was suddenly slipping through my fingers. Maybe hewasright, maybe I was destroying her life.
30NAOMI
The last fewdays since that chaotic morning at my place when Adri chased Ty have been…well, wild would be an understatement.
