The Pact (The McGregor Brothers, #1)

by Karina Halle

On his feet are his worn black Keds that I think he’s had ever since we first met, but it suits him.

In some ways the pact is stupid – it’s just putting something off that I could take care of right now. But I’m afraid to act on it in case James really is still in love with her. I’m afraid that she’d turn me down, tell me she’s never thought of me as more than a friend and that she doesn’t want to ruin our friendship. I’m afraid I could fuck up two friendships at once.

“I’d give her up for you,” I tell her, staring at her relentlessly until she’s forced to meet my eyes again, if just for a second. “I’d give up everything for you.” Though I think I’m being completely serious about this, I’m not sure how much good it will do me if she knows that. So I smile at her, a big shit-eating grin, until she eventually returns the smile. Now she thinks I’m joking. I wish I was. But at least I’m safe. We’re safe.

“Isn’t that the best person to want? The person that knows you inside and out. The person who has seen you at your ugliest and most beautiful and still wants to be with you. The person who believes in you and has your back, no matter what.” Then his smile fades and his brow furrows. “You’ve always been more than a friend to me, Steph. Always. You have no idea how I’ve felt, how I still feel about you.”