Page 76 of One Quick Obsession

I blinked. “Scarlett called Luna? Fuck.”

“Damn straight. What did you do? I thought things were going great between the two of you. Are you fucking kidding me right now?”

“It’s not that. We’re fine. I think. Hell.”

“Talk to me. Are you guys okay or not? Because when Scarlett goes to talk with Luna tomorrow, what the hell’s she going to say?”

“Nothing. We’re fine. We’re fucking fine. I think.”

“Then what? What the hell is going on?”

“Fine. When we got back from dinner, fuck.”

“Talk to me.”

“Michelle’s brother and mom were at the house. Here. Because it’s her birthday and I had forgotten that today Michelle would’ve turned a year older, but she didn’t. Because I wasn’t there.”

“Don’t, don’t put that on your fucking shoulders. You didn’t kill her. Jefferson did.”

“I know that. I know he beat her. She cheated on me, left me for him, and I would’ve found a way to be fine. If that’s who they needed to be together, then fine. But he was a worthless piece of shit and didn’t deserve her. And he killed her. He killed her and I wasn’t there to save her. By the time I got back, there was nothing I could do.”

“It wasn’t your fault. You were overseas.”

“And she was alone. Alone and screaming and in pain, and I wasn’t there. And when I got home, I couldn’t even go to the funeral. Couldn’t go to her grave without her mother and brother shouting at me.”

“So they thought it was okay to come here on her birthday and take it out on you? They’re in pain, God knows they have a right to be, but they don’t get to blame you for it.”

“Maybe I should take some of the blame.”

“Is that what you told Scarlett? Because she was here, right? For all of it? Did you push her away because you’re afraid she’s going to get hurt? Because that’s the stupidest fucking thing I’ve ever heard.”

I staggered back at the venom in Flynn’s tone. “No. I don’t know. She’s sleeping next door. But we’re fine. I promise. We kissed and said we were going to see each other in the morning. I just need to fucking paint or breathe or do something.”

“Then why is Scarlett trying to talk with Luna?”

“Because it was a lot to deal with? I don’t know. We’re not over.” Panic settled in my chest. “We better not be fucking over.”

“So you’re going to fight for her?”

“Damn straight. I didn’t fight for Michelle because I thought that’s what she wanted. And she’s dead. I might not have been the one to kill her, but I didn’t see Jefferson for who he was.”

“No one did. I was here, remember? Left behind. I was friends with her too. We’re twins, Hudson. Everything we had together we did together. I didn’t see the man for who he was, and he killed her. But Jefferson’s dead too. You didn’t kill that man.”

“I wish I would have.”

I said it out loud again, knowing it was the truth. I wish I could have had Jefferson’s blood on my hands, rather than Michelle’s or Josh’s or anyone else I had lost along the way.

“I wish I would’ve killed him too. I might not have loved Michelle the way you did, but she was yours therefore she was mine too. The twin thing.”

“Scarlett’s not yours,” I tried to tease, and Flynn just smiled softly.

“In case you ever can’t step up to the plate I will do my manly twin duty.”

“I should punch you, but I’m exhausted.”

“I can see why. Family drama in all ends. But us Cages are going to be okay. And you and Scarlett better be okay. You should go to her tonight, make sure she’s not alone.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose and nodded. “You’re right. Fuck.”