Page 98 of No Apologies
Her friend’s concern broke something loose inside her and tears welled behind her eyes, “Everything.”
“Oh, honey…” Jemma was beside her in an instant, dragging Skylar into her arms and rubbing her back soothingly, “Tell us what happened.”
She glanced up to find Cash watching her from where he still stood across the room. He looked so much like Colt when he frowned like that. He was wearing almost the exact same expression his twin had before he walked out of the apartment. His lips were thin and his body was still. He’d even crossed his arms over his chest.
“It’s okay.” He gave a short nod, “I already guessed this is something Colt did so tell us. Tell us and I’ll fix it.”
A silent tear rolled down her cheek, “Jesus, you two are so much alike it’s scary sometimes.”
“What?” Jemma looked between them, “What did Colt do?”
So she told them. She told them everything. All of it, from the very beginning of her realizing she wanted Colt even though she was still with Trey to the ultimatum that she had posed that he choose between going backwards without her or going forward with her. And because Jemma was her best friend. Because Cash was Colt’s brother. Some of it was awkward and uncomfortable but it was the truth and that was the important part.
When she was done, she looked at her friends. Jemma looked sad and worried. Cash looked frustrated and annoyed. She felt a little bit of all of those things and so much more.
“So he’s at home now?” Cash finally broke the silence.
“I guess. I don’t know. He left so I assume that’s where he went.”
“Good. You stay here.” Cash came towards them and bent to brush a kiss across Jemma’s forehead, “Stay with your friend. Keep her company. I’m gonna go knock some sense into my twin, okay?”
Skylar wiped at her wet cheeks, “He has a really hard head. Don’t break your hand okay?”
Cash offered up a small smile, “It’s no harder than mine. He forced me to face some hard truths when I was on the verge of screwing things up with Jemma. I’m going to return the favor.”
She bit her lip because tears flooded her vision again. Cash was on her side. She’d known Jemma would be. They’d been best friends since elementary school. But she hadn’t expected Cash to have her back, to agree with her that Colt had to choose and that he should choose her. She nodded her thanks, unable to do more than that at the moment.
“Be careful babe.” Jemma tilted her head up for another kiss and Cash gave it to her.
“He’s never fought me before and he won’t start now. Trust me.” He stepped back after also giving Skylar a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder, “He knows that you’re right. He’s just too scared to admit it and accept your help. I’ll talk to him and I’ll bring him back to you Sky.”
“Thank you.”
Cash left, shutting the door gently behind him and Jemma stroked her back again. Skylar leaned into the touch. She needed some reassurance right about now. She didn’t know what Cash was going to say to Colt but she couldn’t imagine whatever it was that it would go smoothly.
“You know…” Jemma said, and Skylar could hear the smile in her voice even though she wasn’t looking at her, “I used to know this girl that told me those Bomar boys are nothing but trouble and I should steer clear of them.”
Skylar snorted, “Sounds like a smart girl, maybe she should’ve taken her own advice.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“No.” She admitted sadly, “I don’t.”
But she was worried if Colt chose wrong that she would.
