40. Can We Just Talk?

MICHAEL

"---I have never been in love with anyone. Then I met you."

A ringing sound filled my head as I realized I had just told someone I loved them and the first person I told was my girlfriend's brother---and he didn't want to hear it! Jacob was looking at me as if he hated me even.

He snapped me back into my body with a barked order, "Get the beer! People are waiting."

Wait! No. I knew things couldn't end like this. Not like this.

"Can we just talk?" I asked, knowing I was pleading with Jacob but being unable to care because I needed him to listen to me more than I needed to preserve my pride.

"No! We've talked enough."

Jacob wasn't listening. He wasn't hearing anything I was saying and I didn't know how to make him. I grabbed for his arm and he flung my hand off as if I had a disease.

Snarling at me, "Don't! Don't touch me."

I lugged my beer into the house after Jacob, trying to keep up with the pace he was setting only he was a lot faster than me for all we were about t