Finding Delaware (State of Us #1)

by Bree Wiley

“Do you want him?” He asks quietly, breaking our silence after a while, and I stiffen, knowing who he’s asking about. I want to say hell no, I don’t. In fact, my lips part to say the words. But they don’t come. Because the truth is that I’ve wanted Taylor since the eighth grade. Even after everything. There’s something twisted about the way I yearned for his attention, even if the attention I got was all bruises and closed fists. How I avoided him, knowing he’d seek me out because I wanted the fucking chase. I just got good at lying to myself about it. “I don’t know.” I feel myself shrug. “Maybe. Even if I did, it wouldn’t matter. Nothing can come from it. There’s too much...history. Too much toxicity.” Plus, there’s the little fact that he can’t stand being touched by me. So, how would that work? “I think you two should talk it out.” A dry snort leaves my throat. “Yeah, right. Conversations with us usually end in bloodshed.” Or with his lips against mine as we writhe against each other, followed by a fallout. There’s no middle ground between us, even with my failed attempt at making the backyard track into some sort of neutral ‘Delaware’ like an idiot. Royce’s chest vibrates as he laughs. “What did you expect when you fell for your bully? Who also happens to be your stepbrother.” “I didn’t—” I blow a curl out of my eyes, sighing. “I don’t think I’ve ‘fallen’ for him. It’s more like...infatuated.” He pulls back to look up at me, unconvinced, and I smile crookedly. “Very st...