Page 90 of Carved in Ice (Made of Steel 3)

He still didn’t move.

“Aren’t you coming?”

He cleared his throat. “I need to change.”

“Actually, you don’t. Liza knows who you are too. When I figured it out last night, I told her.”

“And how did you find out? You didn’t say.”

This was a little awkward. “I visited Eli and he kind of let it slip. But he was on painkillers. He didn’t mean to.”

Miles laughed.

For some reason that wasn’t the reaction I was expecting. “What’s so funny?”

“He’s been keeping us apart for long enough. It’s about time he helped push us back together again.”

No hard feelings. I was relieved. But really, why should there have been? Miles had been with other women. He had already told me as much. Kins had even warned me of his reputation around campus. But then I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. I had told Eli I loved him. We had talked about a future. That was a lot different than what Miles had been doing.

We talked about it before. Actually, we fought about it. I had sworn I loved Eli and he had sworn I couldn’t possibly. He said I couldn’t because I was harboring feelings for Miles. How had I not put it together before?

But even though I had told V the truth, it felt different than telling Miles.

“You can go ahead,” he said as he looked down. “I just need a second…”

“I can help you with the bandage if you want.”

He looked back up at me.

And I realized I needed to rip the Band-Aid off. I needed to tell him before we went any further. I was so sick of secrets. “I told Eli I loved him. And I did mean it. I was mad at you. Both of you. I mean...you you and V you. If that makes any sense?”

“Summer, we’ve already talked about this.”

“I know. But that was when I didn’t know who you were. And I thought maybe we should talk about it too. I was just so tired of all the lies. I needed something…” I let my voice trail off. I couldn’t find the right words. “Eli seemed so…”

“Easy?” Miles looked back down at his lap. “That worked. Thanks.” But he didn’t sound thankful. He slid out of bed.

I realized that he wasn’t stalling getting up because he was going to transform back into V or change his bandage. He was stalling because he had been desiring me. My eyes traveled down his body.

He turned away from me.

Why had I chosen that moment to tell him I had loved Eli? God, what was wrong with me?

He ran his fingers through his hair as he stared out the window. I knew he wanted me to leave. But I couldn’t leave like this.

“Miles…”

“It’s fine.” He cleared his throat and walked toward the door.

“It’s not fine. Clearly you’re upset with me.”

He stopped with his hand on the doorknob. “You could have slept with a hundred men and I wouldn’t love you any less.”

“Is that how many women you’ve slept with?”

“No.” He lowered his eyebrows slightly. This was just getting worse. “And I can promise you that I never told a si

ngle one of the women I’ve slept with that I loved them.”

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