Torrid Affair(41)

“Good, can’t complain. Glad to be back on campus.” He took a sip and lowered his cup in front of him. “I’m better now that I’m here with you.” He reached a hand out to grasp mine but stopped. “Brie, I'm sorry.” Julian dropped his eyes. “I overreacted that night. I should never have spoken to you that way.”

I reached across the table and entwined my hands with his. My vision blurred with unshed tears. He was apologizing to me, but I was the one who had betrayed him. Julian wasn't a bad guy. He was sweet and caring, and more importantly, he adored me. He didn't deserve what I did to him. “Julian, I don't want you to apologize.”

“I have to.” His voice was shaky as he clenched my hand. “I’ve given you the space you asked for, but Brie, you're a friend I truly care about. The way we left things . . .” He slowly shook his head. “You're not supposed to treat the people you love like I treated you. And for that, Brielle, I'm sorry. Truly sorry.”

I cleared my throat and forced a smile to my face. “Julian, I'm sorry.” I should have told him everything, but the words were lodged in my throat. “It’s not fair for you. I know how you feel for me, and even though we’re friends, I should have taken your feelings into consideration” Pausing, I waited for him to look up. “I never really gave us a try. My mind has been so preoccupied with finishing school and everything else that our relationship was put on the back burner.” My voice cracked and a tear dripped from my cheek. I knew where my mind had really been all this time. “I never gave us a chance and that’s not fair to you. I know that you love me. I can't give you what you want from me, but I’d be honored to be your friend, if that's okay.”

“I'd like that.” His thumb ran across my knuckles.

I choked back the tears that threatened to escape and forced myself to smile. Julian could make me happy.

If only I wasn't falling for his brother.





Chapter 13





Brielle


Love was fucked up. Whoever said it was the most wonderful and beautiful thing in the world was full of shit. I was a straight A student, but when it came to falling in love, I failed miserably. It wasn't that I didn't know how to love. I loved unconditionally and hopelessly. It was simply that I fell in love for the wrong guy. I tried, sweet lord, did I try to fall in love with someone else—anyone else. Hell, I even tried to fall in love with his brother.

Instead, I fell in love with Nate.

Fucked.

I was fucked.

Two weeks after my encounter with Nate in the library, I believed everything was right in the world. Delaney and I were back to our usual way, Julian and I had cleared the air, and I put my slip-up with Nate behind me. We had rearranged our room so a massive wardrobe covered the wall Nate and I painted. Any reminder of that night was put to rest.

Everything was perfect.

Until it wasn't.

I was in the library first thing Saturday morning prepping for the new student I was assigned to tutor. Usually, I’d have a chance to learn more about them and what subject they needed help with, but he’d only signed up the night before.

My back was turned to the door in the Learning Center so I didn’t spot him walk in, but the sound of someone clearing his throat caught my attention. I turned to face him with a wide grin on my face.

“Good Morn—” My words fell flat as Nate stood on the other side of the desk. “What are you doing here?” I crossed my arms over my chest.

His lips turned up in a boyish grin and he held up the form we had every student fill out. “You’re my new tutor.”

“No!” I shook my head in disbelief. “Hell, no.” I snatched the paper from his hand. This had to be a joke. But his name was clear and he was assigned to me for biology. “You’re a straight A student, Nate. You don’t need help.” I tossed the paper back at him.

The stupid grin lingered on his face. “Not when it comes to biology.”

“Then take another science.”

Nate laid his textbook on the table and pulled out a letter from the Dean. “I took biology my first semester at county college. I passed with a D. The Dean is willing to let me retake it and the new grade will be the one on my transcript. If I do well, I can graduate Summa Cum Laude.” He paused for a moment. “Please, Brie. I’m asking you as a friend and nothing else. I really need your help on this.”

“No, there are other tutors. I’ll have you assigned to someone else.”

“You’re the only one who excelled in Professor Gorev’s class. I wouldn’t ask if there was someone else. I’m begging you, Brie.”