Page 129 of Double Dare
Once I make Gar believe you leaked these photos and ruined my life, he’ll pick me over you. You’re done, Amber.
I let out the breath I absolutely knew I was holding. “You believe this?”
“It’s all right here, Laken. I…I trusted you!”
“Come on, Gar. You have to see this is a setup,” Jed scoffs. “Think for yourself, for fuck’s sake.”
“See!” Aunt Candice chimes back in. “Look how much trouble she brings,” she laughs like Gar did her a favor.
And the sad part is, she’s right. This is on me, my drama, my best friend, my battle. Maybe not on purpose, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s my trouble.
I hit a limit. I can’t handle anything else right now. Nothing. That stress level I was suffering through earlier has turned into…defeat. I don’t like the feeling because I’m not typically someone who bows down to admit defeat, but I've had enough. I need a break.
I take another breath and look at Liam and Dom. “There is nothing wrong with your relationship. Nothing. I love you both.” To Jed and Kade, I say, “I love you both, but I need a minute to myself.” I squeeze both of their hands, warning them not to follow me; they know I need the space. To Rayne, I simply say, “I’m sorry. Again.”
“No.” She shakes her head at me. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry that you aren’t safe in the one place we always promised you would be. We love you, Laken. No matter what.” She brushes my hair back and gives me a smile. “Go.”
I give Zahn’s hand a squeeze, thanking him for always being at my side.
With a final look at Gar, I can’t bring myself to apologize for what he’s going through because it isn’t my fault. I walk by him.
“Laken, wait. I’m…fuck. I’m sorry, okay?” Gar tries to follow me, but someone holds him back.
I grab my board, my winter gear, my boots and my headphones. The mountains always help, and right now, I need them.
Because I’m not a victim. I just need time to think and get my strength back.
Chapter 49
As much as I want to deck my aunt, I leave her in the capable hands of my mom. Instead, I focus my wrath on Gar, shoving him away from the crowd and toward the front porch where we can talk in private without the whole damn family overhearing. Jed follows, staying a few paces behind to calm himself down. As soon as we make it to the porch, I slam Gar against the outside of the house.
“You’re fucking stupid, Gar. You know that, right? You know her better than this.” I glare at him, trying to find the steely, independent prick who never lets anyone, including us, push him around. I know he’s still in there, hiding under the sexy exterior and Amber’s influence.
To his credit, he looks guilty. “I know, but…look at this shit!” He holds his phone up again. “How am I not supposed to believe that when it’s right there in front of me?”
“Because technology can be faked, but Laken can’t, and you fucking know that!” I snap at him. “Jesus, Gar!” I shove him once more and let him be.
He straightens his coat and points at his phone. “Who did this then?”
Jed takes the phone from him and scrolls through all the photos of this apparent conversation Laken had with Amber. “You really need to ask that?”
“Distract me before I kill my aunt,” Hardin comes outside already smoking a cigarette, so Jed hands him Gar’s phone. “What is it? Oh…fucking cunt.”
Gar’s face falls, and for the first time, I think I might actually get where he’s coming from. He’s never had a real relationship, never gets picked to be anything other than the friend, the wingman, or the one-night stand, and he finally found someone who wants to date him. He doesn’t want to feel like he’s worthless, like someone could do that to him, that he could be fooled that easily. Because I feel bad for him now, I offer him a pack of smokes as a peace offering.
He snatches them and lights one without looking at me. He’s embarrassed, and I don’t blame him.
“Okay, first of all, you owe Lakes an apology,” Hardin says, working on Gar’s phone.
“What’d you find?” Gar asks hesitantly.
“Well, about a week and a half ago, Laken got a new phone number, phone, emails, everything. Did you know about that?”
“No. She hasn’t been talking to me.”
“Because Amber fucking blocked her in your phone, Gar!” Jed shoves him. “Don’t you get it?”
“But why? Why would she do that? If she cares about me…why?” Gar looks like a wounded puppy and it’s killing me.