Page 139 of You Fall First

“I haven’t even told Jo exactly how I feel about her yet,” I say, my throat hot. “Not in so many words. But if it makes a difference to you, she’s got me more than any other woman. Ever.”

Dex screws up his face. “There you go, using that W word again.”

“The truth hurts, huh?”

“It’s the worst, man.” He breaks into an exaggerated shudder. “And this is a lot for me to process. But for the record, I didn’t come here to act like some caveman pounding my chest, shouting, ‘You Big Man No Date My Small Sister.’”

This pulls a smirk out of me. “It kinda felt like that.”

“Look.” Dex clears his throat. “The truth is, I love you, bro. Your friendship means a lot. And you’re one of the best men I know. Best people. Under any other circumstances, I would’ve been first in line to cheer on you and my sister.”

I cock a brow. “First? Really?”

“Okay. Maybe third.” He splays his hands. “Worst-case scenario, fourth. But still, under these circumstances …” He drops his volume, and each word is a rough pebble. “Jojo’s been hurt before.”

My teeth clench. I hate the reminder of any history where someone didn’t treat Jo with care. “I’m aware.”

“She deserves a man who can give her one hundred and ten percent of himself. Not an ounce less.”

“You’re mixing measurements,” I say, in a lame attempt to stop us from getting misty-eyed.

“Yeah, well, math blows,” he quips. “But my point stands. From where I sit—literally”—he glances at the door—“you’ve got a very full plate, man. You told my entire family you were too busy for a date, let alone a relationship. How are you gonna give her what she needs?”

“Jo and I have stuff to figure out, sure.” I flinch. “We both want to make it work, though.”

His brows contract. “I appreciate that. But you carry a lot on your shoulders already, and I want someone for my sister who carries nothing but his love for her.”

My throat moves on a swallow. “Dex.”

“I know I sound extreme. I am extreme. I’m her brother. And Jojo shouldn’t have to ask for more than your leftover crumbs of time.”

“She won’t have to ask for anything from me. Ever.”

“Really?” His eyes are lasers now. “Can you honestly tell me she’d be your number one priority going forward? Forget willing. Would you be able to put her first? Above everything and everyone else?”

My torso’s a clutch of knives aimed at my heart, my lungs, my throat. Dex’s concerns are valid, but I haven’t fully defined the relationship with Jo yet, so I’m not about to get into it with him first. We’re both quiet for a moment longer, then he breaks the silence.

“What if you had to choose between her and Paige?”

“I won’t,” I rasp without thinking.

“You don’t know that.”

“I do.”

He nods. “Then you must have a crystal ball I don’t know about.”

I puff out a breath, drop my chin, trying to imagine a situation where I’d have to pick Paige over Jo or Jo over Paige. I can’t come up with one. Still, I’ve spent my entire life prioritizing my family over everything. Work comes next. Then friends. They all take precedence over relationships. Over me.

Now I want to choose Jo.

I want to choose Jo.

“Sorry for putting you on the spot,” Dex says, rising slowly. “But you’ve got some stuff to think about.” He reaches out to help me up, and the way he clasps my hand says everything.

All of his jokes aside, Dex Michaels is a man of honor and integrity. Not a friend I can afford to lose. I don’t want to lose him.

“Guess I do.”