First to Fall (Bartholomew, #1)

by Laney Hatcher

I didn’t want to need Emery, but when had I ever not? She had always been first and foremost in my mind. Now she would bear my name and share a home with me. It was every fantasy realized. All but one. But how could I tell her I loved her now? She was so convinced that she needed to support me, and as a result, doomed to lead a life she never wanted. I refused to tie her to me further. What if admitting the truth of my heart gave her one more reason to stay? Another life she didn’t ask for but felt too loyal to abandon? What if she tried to force herself to love me in return? I couldn’t tolerate her pity or worse, her understanding. I’d rather carry on as we had been, friendship with an added layer of physicality.

This whole premise is just a non-problem, my god. She’s literally marrying you.

I pulled back as if burned. Why was she saying this? It was utter cruelty. Emery didn’t love me. She couldn’t. I wasn’t good enough for her. I never would be. We were too different and she didn’t know what she was saying. The prospect of her love did nothing but tear me in two.

What an utter jackass. A complete pathetic bumblebutt. I hate this guy.