Page 81 of Sexting My Best Friend's Brothers
“He threatened to sue me,” I say, the words spilling out. “I tried to quit, Owen. And he brought up the signing bonus.”
Owen’s eyes widen. “He what?”
“He threw my rent in my face,” I laugh bitterly. “He knows I can’t afford to pay it back. He trapped me.”
“He’s bluffing,” Owen says instantly. “Ethan wouldn’t sue you. He’s just… he’s panicking. He’s trying to keep you here.”
“He has a funny way of showing it.”
Owen steps closer. He reaches out, as if to touch my arm, but then stops. He pulls his hand back.
“Are you okay?” he asks softly. “After Friday?”
I step back. “Don’t.”
“Tess—”
“Don’t ask me about it,” I warn him. “Ethan made it very clear. Strictly professional. That applies to you too.”
“I don’t work for Ethan’s rules,” Owen says, a flash of anger in his eyes. “And I know he hurt you. I saw his face when he kicked us out of his office on Friday. I saw the text he sent the group. I know what happened.”
“Nothing happened,” I lie. “We had a meeting. It was productive.”
“Bullshit,” Owen says. “You slept with him.”
My stomach drops, heavy and cold.
“I…” I can’t deny it. Not to him. Lying to Owen feels like kicking a puppy. “Owen, I?—”
“Don’t lie to me,” Owen says. His voice cracks. He looks devastated. “I came back, Tessa. After we left, I was worried about you. I came back up to make sure you were okay.”
He swallows hard, looking away.
“I heard you,” he whispers. “I heard you screaming his name.”
The blood drains from my face. “Owen…”
“The pancakes. The weekend. I thought…” He looks at me, his eyes wet. “I thought we were starting something. But you were just waiting for him.”
“No,” I say, stepping toward him. “That’s not true. I like you, Owen. I really like you. But Ethan…”
“Ethan always wins,” Owen finishes bitterly.
“Ethan destroyed it,” I correct him. “He trapped me, Owen. He’s blackmailing me to stay. I’m not here because I chose him. I’m here because he threatened to ruin my life.”
Owen straightens up. The heartbreak shifts into confusion, then anger. “He’s blackmailing you?”
“Yes. So I have to stay. But us? That’s over.”
“Ethan doesn’t get to decide that!”
“He does,” I whisper, shaking my head. “He holds the contract. He holds the debt. He owns me, Owen.”
“I don’t care about the contract,” Owen says, stepping closer, his eyes burning with intensity. “I care about us.”
“There is no us!” I shout, the panic finally fracturing my voice. “Don’t you get it? He’s the boss! He’s the one holding myfinancial life hostage! I can’t do this, Owen. I can’t be the wishbone you two pull apart.”
“I’m not pulling you apart,” Owen says. “I’m trying to hold on to you.”
