Page 91 of Shattered Oaths

My shoulders drop in disappointment, although I’m not sure why. I knew she wouldn’t. “Is she okay?”

“What do you think?” Daisy asks, casting a quick glance over her shoulder before stepping out onto the porch and closing the door behind her.

“I just need to see her so I can explain-”

“No.” Daisy cuts me off. “You want to see her so you canexcuseyour actions.”

I open my mouth, a retort on the tip of my tongue but the look on her face stops me.

“Let me guess… you’re going to tell her how you got scared because you broke a bullshit promise you made to my husband when you were kids. That instead of growing a pair of balls and facing the consequences, you chose to tuck and run and leave her to believe thatshetook advantage ofyou.”

I shake my head, ready to deny it even though she’s right but she continues. “You forget who you’re talking to, Noah. I spent years running away from the same man because I was too afraid to tell him my truth. And who was it that came after me and pleaded with me to come home?”

She points a finger at my chest. “You.When all along you were lying to him yourself.”

“Daisy…”

“No. Don’t speak. I’m not done.” She steps closer, her eyes filling with tears of anger as she rips into me. “You treated me like shit for months after I came home for what I did to your best friend. But now, it’smybest friend that’s hurting.”

“I didn’t want to hurt her!” I shout, a little louder than necessary and then immediately feel like an asshole. “I’m sorry. Butfuck.”

I run a hand down my face, the desperation inside of me becoming too much. “I didn’t want to hurt her, Daisy. I never meant for this to get so out of hand.”

She’s about to respond but the sound of a vehicle approaching stops her and both of our attention turns to the driveway as Killian’s truck comes to a screeching halt.

Fuck my life.

I’ve yet to see him since the night of The Boot. I’d been picking my times to come by here carefully to avoid him because I can only deal with one problem at a time right now.

“Just… make sure she eats this, please?” I say to Daisy in a rush, handing her the to-go bag and coffees. She takes them and I turn away from her, jogging back down the steps just in time for Killian’s fist to connect with my jaw.

I knew it was coming.

It’s why I handed off the food.

But the pain that shoots up the side of my face still takes me by surprise and I stumble back a step before straightening up and meeting the fury-filled eyes of my best friend.

“This.”He shoves my chest. “Is why I told you to stay the fuck away from her.” Another shove. “Because I knew you’d break her fucking heart.”

“Killi-”

“Shut the fuck up!” He booms, chest heaving as he shoves me yet again. My jaw clenches, my own anger starting to simmer. “You just couldn’t control yourself, could you? Couldn’t keep your dick in your pants. This is what you do, Noah. You fuck women and then drop them, like they mean absolutely fuck all to you.”

He’s fucking insane if he thinks that’s what happened here.

Did I fuck up?Yes.

Did I take something from Bella that I proved time and time again I didn’t deserve?Absolutely.

Do I regret it?More than anything in the fucking world.

“Why her, Noah?” Killian asks, his eyes flickering between mine and his voice hoarse with all the emotions he’s feeling. “It could have been anyone. Why’d it have to be my sister?”

“Because I fucking love her!” I shout, my arms spread wide as I step up to him. “Because I’vealwaysfucking loved her.”

There’s silence for a moment. Nothing but heaving breaths sounding in the open air and my eyes water as I stare at my friend.

My shoulders slump in defeat. “But I also love you, man. And I didn’t want to have to choose.”