In the Crease (Assassins Book 11) Read online

  He scoffed. “Excuse me for not thinking that through, but I was a bit shocked.”

  “Still, you were a dick.”

  “What do you expect, Wren? I can see right through this shit, and what’s killing me is you have Jensen believing it’s real.”

  “Who says it isn’t?” she snapped back. “I’m pregnant with his child. Yeah, I ran and hid it, but it’s real.”

  “Don’t fucking lie to me. You got knocked up by some scumbag, and you’re using our best friend. Damn it, Wren, the money isn’t worth it.”

  “You’re wrong, and I wouldn’t do that.”

  “Yeah, you would. You’ve needed this money since college. It’s all you’ve ever talked about, getting it for us. I don’t even want it if this is how you have to get it.”

  Rolling her eyes, she bit out, “I don’t even know why I’m talking to you. I’ve got a big day. We’re getting married in a matter of—”

  “You’re doing that today? Are you serious?”

  “Yes, he wants to get married before we go home and see his parents.”

  “Oh my God, Wren, what are you doing?”

  “Trying to give my kid a good life with his father, mind you.”

  “You’ve never in your life wanted to get married or have kids. This is all mind-blowing to me.”

  “Well, I’m sorry, but things change. I’m older—”

  “You know I see through you, right? You got knocked up, didn’t know how to find a husband since the scumbag wouldn’t have you, and you decided to ask the nicest guy on earth because you knew he wouldn’t say no.”

  “That’s not true,” she tried, but her voice broke, her eyes filling with tears. “I care for him.”

  Wells scoffed. “You care for him. Wow, Wren, you can’t even lie and say you love him? Jesus, you’re going to ruin his life.”

  “I am not!”

  “Yes, you are. Because he isn’t like you. He does have a soul, and he is a good guy—”

  “I mean, fuck, Wells, I’m your sister, and that’s what you think of me?”

  “Wren, you’re the one who always says you don’t have a soul because you don’t care about anyone but yourself. I see that clearly now.”

  “Wow, thanks.”

  “Hey, if the shoe fits.”

  “Fuck you, Wells, you know nothing.”

  Her brother laughed. “I know you both, and let me tell you something. I love you. I love you so much, I do—”

  “Yeah, like I believe that after what you just said.”

  He exhaled through the phone as her tears started to fall down her cheeks. “I do, Wren, really. You’re my world, my baby sister. But this is low, and if you hurt him, I don’t know how I’ll ever look at you again.”

  Her heart fell, her lips trembling as her tears fell faster. “What about me? What happens if he hurts me?”

  “He wouldn’t do that.”

  “How do you know? You can’t tell the fucking future!”

  “Because I know Jensen. I bet when you told him you were pregnant and needed a dad for the baby, he jumped at the chance. Because not only is he a good dude, but he’s loved you his whole damn life, but he didn’t think he was good enough for you because he couldn’t give you kids!”

  She snapped her lips shut, almost dropping the phone. “You’re lying. He doesn’t love me.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me? Wren, he thinks you fart glitter and make the world turn.”

  She was speechless. Surely, Wells was lying. This couldn’t be. She would have known. Wouldn’t she? Did she really not pay attention? It just seemed so foreign to her. It didn’t seem right. No, she would have known. “Stop. You’re just trying to make me feel bad for something I’m not even doing.”

  “No, you know it’s true. Everyone knows he’s had a thing for you.”

  “I didn’t know that!”

  “Because you’re too consumed with yourself. I’m so mad at you, I could scream. I can’t believe you’re using his feelings to get ahead, for some money? Money doesn’t make you happy, Wren, love does. Jensen knows that, but I know you don’t.”

  Shaking her head, she closed her eyes. “Wow, you’re really being an asshole, Wells.”

  “Someone has to be. Someone has to tell you the truth and protect the people they love. I can’t believe you.”

  “I can’t believe you’re coming at me like this. You’re my brother. Why aren’t you being supportive?”

  “Because it’s all a lie.”

  “It’s not! We’re having a baby, he wants to get married, and yeah, maybe I didn’t want that, but I need to be. Maybe that’s why I agreed, but my intentions aren’t malicious, Wells. I care for him.”

  “Yeah, they may not be malicious, Wren, because you’re not a malicious person, but that doesn’t mean you won’t break his heart when you decide to end it after you have your money. Because you won’t need him then.”

  She shook her head, her tears coming faster down her face. “So that’s what you think of me?”

  “It’s what I know, and as much as it hurts to say it, I have to protect my friend and my niece or nephew because it will cause ill will between you two.”

  “What about protecting your sister? Did you have this conversation with him?”

  “I don’t have to.”

  Silence stretched between them as Wren wiped her face. She understood that Wells was very opinionated and maybe a little harsh sometimes, but usually, he was right. This time was no different, except she didn’t feel she was using Jensen in a vicious way. She didn’t intend to hurt him; it was the last thing she wanted. She was worried she’d be the one to get hurt. But apparently, everyone had already pegged her for the heartbreaker. What else was new? She was never good enough for anyone.

  “I won’t hurt him.”

  “Then don’t marry him.”

  “That’s happening.”

  “Then there is nothing else to say.”

  “Guess not.”

  “Whatever.”

  “Yeah, whatever.”

  Shaking her head, she slammed the phone down before dropping her face in her hands and letting out a sob that filled her office. “What a fucking jerk.”

  He had just crossed the line. There were no two ways about it, he did. She didn’t care that he was trying to be there for Jensen, or he was protective or whatever, because he was a jerk. God, she hated crying. It made her feel weak, pathetic, but her brother’s words stung. They stung so badly she swore she felt the burn on her skin as if it were real. She didn’t get it. Why was she always the bad guy? Because she liked to fuck around? Because she wasn’t emotionally attached to anyone but Wells and her parents? Why was she like that? The answer was clear. Because she was never good enough.

  Growing up, it was always Wells who was the center of attention. He was the next Winston Lemiere on the ice. And at the time, Wells and their dad were best friends. Then Vaughn came along, and everyone loved him. Then Jensen, the golden boy. Wren was always on the back burner. She didn’t play hockey, she didn’t do sports, and she sure as hell didn’t bake, so what did her parents have to talk to her about? They didn’t care about the things she did, the books she read, or the movies she watched. No, she was just there. Existing. Even so, she knew they loved her. She did… But she never felt she mattered. She didn’t have purpose in their eyes.

  They didn’t love her for who she was; they loved her because they had to.

  Or at least, that’s how she felt.

  Which was shitty, and the therapist part of her knew she probably needed to investigate it a bit more, but hadn’t she done that enough? When she thought about it too much, she’d usually get annoyed and then go find someone to love her for the night. The problem with that method was that, whoever the lucky guy was, he usually turned out to be a Grade A jackass. Nasty cycle. Disgusting. And one that was going to stop.

  At least for six months.

  Which really meant a year.

  Which, really, mea