The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 33

JUNIPER

I felt torn as I stared into Axel’s eyes. I knew he was trying to make this easier for me, but as he told me to choose Asher, my chest ached. However, as I thought about choosing Axel over Asher, my chest hurt even more.

Axel’s eyes glazed over, and I knew one of his brothers was linking him. When his eyes cleared, he frowned. He took a step back, creating space between us. “Asher’s coming up here to check on you.”

d only hurt him. “I don’t know if it’s easy to simply pick Asher—not when I feel this connection with you.”

be his girlfriend. Say yes, and forget about our connection, because once you say yes to Asher, it closes the bridge between us. I won’t break his trust like that.”

selfish part of me wants you to choose me.”

friend. If he had asked before the party, I wouldn’t have hesitated to say yes, but after admitting my feelings for Axel, it didn’t feel that easy.

slid Axel’s jacket off my shoulders and handed it to him. “Thank you for the jacket, and thank you for stopp

aking his way to the stairs. He made a point to continue looking at me as he walked backwards. “And J.J., if y

elishing the shock to my lungs. Without Axel or Asher nearby, my head quickly cleared.

everything was falling apart.

here and knocking me off my feet. He made me swoon and feel things I wasn’t used to, but almost as fast as he

ared about Axel, but as the fresh air cleared my mind, the decision became crystal clear.

the bubble of clarity I had.

of my neck.

me.

I heard about the fight. Are you okay? What happened?”

at he was gone, the pent-up stress made my body shake.

ibrate through my body.

his advances, he slapped me,” I said. The ache in my cheek had faded, but there was st

ill him for touching yo

n my face. “It’s okay. After what Axel did, I don’t think Josh is going to bother m

hy he was bothering you in the first place.”

less terrifying.

again.

hat’s all I want right now.”

the right time when you need me most.”

I knew the choice was obvious.

e you?” Asher asked, squeezing me tighter.

as completely right to be jealous of Axel. Part of me knew that if Asher had been there to pull Josh off me, then I wouldn’t have had any hesitation in choosing Asher. “But don’t be jealous. I don’t need you to be

been dating for very long, but I have never felt this way about anyone else before. Please don’t say it’s too soon. Please be my girlfriend, June.”

t hesitation, and it felt

n shared it. Asher was the perfect boyfriend for me, and I didn’t want to mess that up because of a crush on Axel.

y?” Asher said

I lau

be like to find a mate, because things already felt perfect with Asher.

him again.

hink we were moving too fast.”

rell family no less.”

n you’re dating me, maybe that will help squash some of those rumors,” Asher said.

n stop the school from suspending me or taking anything away from me, then I’m done caring about what students think. In a year, the rumors won’t matter anymore. I’ll be free from all of this.”

you.” Asher’s energy suddenly shifted, and my stomach twisted, thinking he was about to tell me some really bad news.

myself for what he was about to say. “What’s wrong?”

t. I swear I don’t want it.” He wouldn’t look

or his hand and held it tightly, even when he tried to pull away. “You’re freaking me out. Just tell me what’s going on.”

I’m being made co-valedictorian with you.” He finally looked at me, a

t he didn’t say anything else. “That’s it?”

he said.

at’s fantastic news! I didn’t know you were in the running for that.”

e not mad?”

be mad?”

, and then I showed up out of nowhere and forced you to share credit.”

g as I earned the credit I deserved. In fact, sharing the spotlight with Asher would likely make graduation much easier.

her still didn’t look co

s.

nstead. His fingers stroked my hair, and my body ached for more. The feeling was more intense now, especially knowing that I h

parted to catch our breaths, I whispered, “I’m sure.”