Take (Need #2) Read Free Page B

hopeless—”
    “You’re really starting to convince me that you’re ready to give up on her.”
    I do the smart thing and shut the fuck up.
    “Hear me out before I also decide that it’s time for you to give up.”
    Lips pressed together, I remain quiet, my hand itching to reach for one of the bottles.
    “How far are you willing to go to get her back?”
    “It’s not a question of how far. It’s a question of if she’ll ever—”
    He interrupts me again. “How. Far?”
    “Anything.” The word leaves me as a whisper, but that doesn’t make it any less true.
    “So stop being a bitch about it and deal.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “You heard me. You don’t need to be getting drunk right now. You need to fucking sleep, formulate a plan. Convince yourself that it’s gonna keep hurting and keep freaking going.”
    This wise motherfucker, I swear to God. The stubborn side of me wants to contradict him, argue some more, but what’s the point? He’s right.
    Sighing, I get off the loveseat.
    “Did you hear me?”
    “I’m on my way to get some water.”
    He’s silent for a few seconds. Then, “Good boy.”
    “Fuck you, dude.”
    Ryan laughs, and my lips twitch despite themselves.
    “I know you love her, bro. This right here is convincing me, although it was pretty obvious. Unfortunately, I’m not the one you hurt, and Kira is still more stubborn than I am no matter what she says. She may even be more stubborn than you.”
    “Hah. If only she heard you.”
    “It’s true.”
    I pour myself a glass and throw it back, refilling another right away.  It’s going to take a shitload of water to start negating any possibility of a hangover tomorrow. I don’t feel that drunk, but I also know that there’s still more alcohol being processed in my system. Not all of it has hit me yet.
    On that note, I need to order some room service. Get some food in me.
    “What do you suggest I do?” I ask Ryan, because aside from being ready to go for tomorrow, I have no real plan.
    He pulls the phone away from his ear, and I hear him talking to Dana again. “Dana says she knows the sister of one of Kira’s friends.”
    I perk up like a goddamn dog at the sound of that, ears twitching and everything. An in? An honest, serious in? “Which one?”
    “Jenna. Dana is going to try to figure out their plans from now on, and I’ll be able to let you know.”
    Swear to God, I feel like fist-pumping the air.
    “Just keep taking those hits, Brayden. You’re not going to convince my sister any other way. And if she truly is with Austin—”
    “I’m fucking taking her from him,” I say, my resolve returning on a rush. Hell, yeah, I am. Ryan’s right. I let myself sink into the pain of it. Didn’t pay attention to the other signs.
    There really were tears in her eyes.
    She could barely bring herself to say she wanted him instead of me.
    She watched me the entire time as I pulled away from the house, even as he walked closer to her.
    There’s still something there, and I’ll be damned if I don’t keep pushing. Take advantage.
    “Can Dana try to find out what their plans are for tomorrow?”
    “She’s texting Jenna’s sister now.”
    It’s wrong on so many levels. Devious as fuck, too.
    Kira’s going to kill every single one of us if she ever finds out.
    “Tell your girl I said thanks, man. Seriously.”
    “She says you’re welcome but she’s really doing this so I don’t have to deal with your moody ass all the time.”
    I laugh at that. I haven’t had much time to get to know Dana, but she’s starting to seem real fucking cool. “You too. Thank you.”
    Ryan sighs. “I’m doing it for her as much as I’m doing it for you. And because if Austin somehow ends up as my brother-in-law in the future, I think I’m going to kill someone.”
    I almost hiss like a snake at that comment. A straight-up cobra. “Dude, what the fuck is it with you and marriage?” But I’m fixated on that comment. He’d kill someone?