Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right by Rosie Steppe

Chapter 516

Chapter

516

But I couldn't keep hiding forever.

The tougher things got, the less I could afford to run.

I let go of the blanket, and Wayne pulled it back just a little, studying my face. "I heard you got swept into the water. You scared the hell out of me." That was his way of explaining why he was here.

I managed a weak smile. "What, did I make the news?"

I mean, it's the internet age-of course someone filmed the whole thing instead of helping.

"Yeah, looking like a poor little thing." Wayne replied, lifting his hand.

Instinctively, I leaned back, but he just gave me a gentle smile. "Relax, I was just going to fix your hair. Look how jumpy you are."

I stayed quiet as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. They already checked me over."

You even cried, huh?" he said,

easy out.

wasn't fear that had me crying, but he phrased it that way to give me an

a smile. "Look at you, Mr. Emotional Intelligence, even lying to make

"Yep. Otherwise, you'd

didn't know what to say to that. Wayne just chuckled softly. "Rea, I know you've been avoiding me lately It's because I confessed

he'd brought it up directly, I didn't bother pretending. "Yeah... I just feel

now."

simple, sibling-like bond we had. But I couldn't keep it in anymore. I really had feelings for you.

bring myself to shut him down harshly. "Since the day! met you, I've only ever seen you as an older brother-just like family. You know, when we were kids, if Jace upset me, you

So...

nodded, eyes a little distant. "Yeah. Lately, I've been wondering how I ended up losing that little girl who used to depend on me. After thinking about it, I realized... it's my own fault-I pushed you away. can we just pretend

genuinely

no stuffing them back in,

myself move on," Wayne said, lifting his hand

me feel that if I kept holding onto the awkwardness, I'd be the one

+25 BONUS

Chapter 516

out my fist, a gesture we used to do as kids. Anytime Jace, Wayne, and I