The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 43
JUNIPER
I raced after Asher, afraid of him getting too far away. If he left before I had a chance to talk to him, I didn’t know what that would mean for the two of us.
Asher had gotten farther than I expected, but luckily he wasn’t running.
en he didn’t respond, I shouted again, “Asher! Stop!”
on, not even taking a second to look back at me.
bed Asher’s arm. “I’m not going back without you.”
er spun, making me lose my grip, but he stopped walking. “Why do you care? Axel is there. Just go back
snapped, unable to take another
n your little date. Don’t act stupid.” Asher ran his fingers through his hair. “Just tell me the truth. Do you love Axel?”
de no matter what. That was what he said over and over, and I was starting to think I was the fool here for actually believing him.
having him as a friend, but I wasn’t in love with him.
d hovered over me.
sn’t expecting that que
o be sick. And then I found out that you’ve been sneaking around with Axel behind my bac
were just two friends hanging out together. Nothing happened. I swear.”
upset as he did. This side of Asher was not one I recognized.
nothing happened, then why didn’t y
r him?” Asher’s face was hard. His jaw was clench
elt.
ried to fight it, but it’s there.”
before he turned away and star
y eyes started to swell. I could feel Asher slipping through my fingers, and I didn’t want to lose him. “And I chose you. I didn’t choose Axel, because I wanted to be with you. You make me feel safe and loved.”
st told me sooner—”
things out.” I tightened my grip on him, afraid he would walk out of my life if I let him go.
, and his voice was quiet, making it nearly impossible to hear him.
r how much it hurt, I wasn’t going to lie to Asher.
d him to tell him the truth and not me?”
elt like no matter what I said or did, it wouldn’t be enough to get Asher to see that I wanted to be with him.
y looked at me. “Does that mean something happened before we started dating?”
nk of a way around it. “Axel kissed me, but it was before we started dating.”
oked like he was go
my head. “It was the day after.”
laughed and shook his head. “You mean the same day I kissed y
asn’t trying to defend myself, because that would mean I had betrayed Asher.
t tell me.”
that enough?”
cles. I felt lost, like no matter what I did or said, it would never be enough for Axel.
ouch was enough to soothe my pain for a moment, but it wasn’t enough.
absolutely sure for both of our sakes.
ow.”
that. Not yet. If you just give me some time, I—”
so much that my heart feels like it’s going to burst. Then to find out all of this stuff about Axel… ” Asher let go of my face and took a step back.
e you.” My voice cracked and my knees wobbled beneath me. It felt like if I took a single step, my legs would give o
ow if I can be with someone who has feelings for my brother.”
s the distance between Asher and I grew.
time,” Asher said. “Tonight has been a lot. I need a moment to think by myse
n my entire life.
xc
to try to stop the pain from making my head explode.
o it was or how it happened, but I had known pain greater than the pain I felt from Asher wal
niper? Juniper! What’s going on? Are you
’t respond. All I could do was squeeze my eyes shut and hold my head.
We have to get her inside.”
er back to the dorm. Asher’s there.”
partment.”
rs, and then strong hands picked me up. A soothing voice that I knew whispered in my ear, “It’ll be okay, Juniper. We have you. Everything will