The Four Beta Brothers – Chapter 45
JUNIPER
My body jolted awake, and I was disoriented. I didn’t recognize the room I was in. It was dark, but light peeked through the cracks in the curtains. A familiar scent washed over me, so even though I had no idea where I was, I felt safe.
I was no longer in my Homecoming dress. Instead, I was in a soft, white button-up shirt and a pair of leggings. I didn’t remember how I got into the new outfit, but I also didn’t remember much after Asher walked away. The pain from that moment was gone, leaving an emptiness in my body instead.
nose that spread under her right eye. It was mostly healed by now, but it was still there as a stark reminder of what happened.
n’t mean to elbow me in the face, but he did mean to attack Axel. He also chose to walk a
hy he was upset. It was a lot to hear about the connection Axel and I had. Part of me wondered
away, but at least it wouldn’t have hurt so much.
gure out where I was exactly.
as the kitchen and the living room.
kitchen, Ethan stood in front of the stove, whistling to himself as he shifted the pan back and forth over the flames. He was wearing a white t-shirt and gray sweatpants. His hair was down and me
lmost… happy.
watching him, but I bumped into a picture and nearly knocke
and smiled. “You’re awake.”
ainst the wall, since I’d been caught already. “You’re cooking breakfast.”
evenly onto each plate and then added a few pieces of bacon to them. He nodded towards the table. “Sit.”
who normally wore such a serious face look so calm.
nly with honey and lemon.”
ght up.”
ees brush together. His scent was strong from here.
as some sort of dream still, because I couldn’t think of a rational explanation as to why I was in Ethan’s apartment.
for me to eat before taking a single bite.
es softened, and then he added, “If you don’t want to talk about it, you don’t have to.”
de my stomach roil. My body was working too hard to not feel the pain that threatened my very being.
was no point in delaying the conversation. “Asher doesn’t trust me. He
roke free from the numbness holding me captive. I was scared to fall for Asher, because I was afr
till together?” Ethan aske
still?”
th the effort.
, I didn’t know if I trusted him anymore. A relationship without trust wasn’t a real relationship.
I wanted to talk to Asher before I decided. He wasn’t acting like himself last night, and I didn’t want to end our relatio
rything that happened, Asher never made me feel in danger around him.
dn’t. Why would you
were sobbing. Seeing you like that was…” His voice dropped off.
s what?” I leaned o
s protect you, Juniper. I know I should keep my distance from you. I’m your TA and having a personal relationship with you would be harmful for both of us. In fact, if anyone saw you in this apartment right now, it would only fuel those rumors.
front of a moving car for you at that moment. I still would.”
e, and I didn’t know if I wanted to lean forward or back off.
ck. “I don’t know what happened. When Asher walked away, it broke my heart. But then I got this strange feeling that I had felt that kind of pain before, only worse. Then my head felt like it was about to explode.”
d back, and his face hardened again. “Juniper, there’s something I need to tell you.”
ready to hear what he was about to say. “What is it?”
ll truth. I’ve known you since you were a child. In fact, you knew all of us as a child. We used to play together and run around. I cared about you then, and I never stopped caring about you.”
hemselves.
g as soon as I can.”
as I stared into his eyes, I knew he was telling me the truth.