Page 76 of The Final Deal

His ring is gone.

He blinks a few times and a new expression takes over, like he realized he can’t act hurt and upset in front of me and has to put on a mask of machismo. “What do you want?”

My lip trembles uncontrollably. “I can explain.”

“You had your fucking chance.” Zak raises his voice. “Twice. And you’ve fucked up both times. I’m not stupid enough to make the third time a charm.”

“Z, you don’t understand?—”

“You’re right, I don’t. I don’t understand how you could lie to my fucking face that he’s gone when you’re actually going into business with him. You’re making him a permanent part of your life, and you expect me to be cool with it?”

“Just like you expect me to be cool with you selling me out to the devil?” I retort in a tear-soaked voice. “I get that you were forced into your deal. He caught you when you were about to die, and I forgave you for it. So why am I getting the double standard when I’m standing here telling you the same thing happened to me?”

I sniffle and accidentally jab myself in the nose when I wipe it with the back of my hand. “You said you didn’t want to tell me because you didn’t want me to hate you. I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want you to leave me, and… and I’ve been trying so hard to find a way out. But this is exactly why the devil wanted you to deliver me to him: you were a part of his plan to get to me.”

He staggers slightly, like the realization is about to knock him on his ass.

Adrian shuffles his weight in the doorway, eyeing me carefully. “What happened to your face?”

I gently pat my cheeks dry. “I broke his nose.”

That gets both their attention.

“That motherfucker touched you?” Zak squawks as he takes a step closer.

Scoffing softly, I tell him, “Z, what do you think I’ve been dealing with this whole time? I fucking hate him, and he’s doing everything he can to make my life a living hell.”

The three of us stand off silently as the revelations simmer between us. Zak looks both enraged and heartbroken all at once.

“Babe, I’m sorry,” he says quietly in a sorrowful tone.

“Maybe we need a break, too,” Adrian murmurs. His throat bobs like he’s swallowing a bundle of nerves. “You need to focus on the festival, figure this shit out with Ty; we need to figure shit out with the botanica. And I think we need to figure out where we stand with each other.”

I scowl. “There’s nothing to figure out for me. Marriage means loving your partner so much that you’d sacrifice yourself for them, right?” I hold up my hand, showing them the rings on my finger that hold the promise of forever with them. “This means I chose y’all over my own life. I did this for both of you.”

I turn away from the twins, leaving them behind with their doubts.

“Steph, wait.”

Despite Zak’s plea and chasing after me, I move toward my car.

“Babe, please…”

I spin around and find him halfway between me and Adrian in the driveway with glossy eyes. “He’s right,” I say. “There’s a lot to figure out.”

Zak shakes his head. “There’s nothing to figure out without you.” A tear suddenly slides down from the corner of his eye that he quickly wipes. “You’re my everything—the rest of my forever.”

My eyes flash up to meet Adrian’s, wondering if he shares the same sentiment even though he’s the one who suggested a break. This time he’s the one wearing machismo like a mask to hide the hurt.

I guess a part of him is still running away from this feeling.

“I thought I was nothing but a liar, a cheater, and the worst mistake you’ve ever made.”

“Babe, no, I was pissed seeing Ty?—”

I drop into my car, start the engine, and leave them both behind as I follow Shannon home.

We park side by side in the driveway and get out at the same time. I don’t say a word, and neither does he until we’re inside.

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