NOT AGAIN

KARIMA HEART

The moment we reached the garage, he yanked the garage shutter up, and my heart nearly leapt out of my chest.

The car was insane. Jet-black, sleek, the kind of BMW that looked untouchable. And bigger than Malcom’s. When Owain tapped the pedal, the engine growled deadly. It was like the sound alone could turn heads. He caught my expression, of course he did, and I couldn’t tell if he was showing off on purpose or just being Owain, irritating and smug.

I kept my mouth shut, but seriously, how the hell did he own something like this? He’d barely been in New York a week. And now that I thought about it, I’d never even bothered to ask what he actually did for a living. Malcom once said “business development representative,” but… please. Owain? In a suit, making polite small talk in boardrooms? Yeah, no. He wasn't the type that was built up for that thingy.

“Seat belt,” he said, glancing my way.

Maybe I was wrong about him being the law-breaking type, at least he believed in seat belts. That had to count for something.

“So…” his voice slid in, low and taunting, “has your BOYFRIEND decided to hop in with us, or is he still making up his mind?”

I cut him a sideways glare. The way he hit that word boyfriend was obviously meant to rile me up, but, not happening. I flashed a mocking polite smile instead.“He’s coming with us. Thanks for your concern.”

He didn’t answer. Just shook his head like he’d spotted the sarcasm from a mile away.

Owain stopped right in front of Nathan, who was fiddling with his bike key. The second Nathan saw me in the passenger seat, something flickered in his eyes. Jealousy? Or maybe, anger? I couldn’t tell, but whatever it was, he didn’t look comfortable.

He slid into the back without a word. The door clicked shut and instantly my chest tightened. Not from the ride, but from the thought of Owain and Nathan trapped in the same space. It wasn’t conversation I feared, it was their kind of conversation. And Owain? He didn’t exactly specialize in pleasant small talk.

I sighed.

The drive to Nathan’s place was only thirty minutes. He lived close enough that it explained how we’d met and fallen together. Not that it was a fairy-tale meet-cute. Unless you count a grocery store checkout line where he loudly announced I’d stained my clothes with my period. I hadn’t even noticed, I’d been so sure my pills had me covered. Long story short, he marched me to the public bathroom, bought me toiletries, and… that was how it started. Awkward, but beautiful too.

By some miracle, the ride was peaceful. No verbal landmines, no jabs. I counted it as a blessing.

Nathan pulled the gate open so Owain could drive in. Once we parked, I was the first through the front door. Juliet spotted me instantly and launched herself at me.

“Karry!” she squealed, as if I’d been gone for years.

I scooped her up and hugged her tight. God, I’d missed her. Truth be told, I was closer to Juliet than she was to her big-headed brother.

Across the room, on the big couch, sat Victoria, Nathan’s mother. She didn’t notice me until Juliet called my name. Her smile spread wide… then narrowed into a mock frown.

“You took so long, Karry. I almost regretted making your favorite, chicken omelet,” she said, walking over with that warm, motherly smile. She doesn't even look like she had two children come out of her with that face card.

Her husband, Jeremiah, had died last year from cancer, the same leukemia Juliet is now fighting. Victoria cupped my face in her small hands.

“So… you won’t come see me unless your boyfriend brings you? I had to force Nathaniel to bring you over. Is that how it is now?” she teased.

I shot Nathan a look that said You haven’t told her we broke up, have you? He avoided my eyes, suddenly fascinated by the ceiling.

“I’m sorry, Victoria. Nathan should have told you. I’ve had a lot of projects at school,” I said.

And of course, Owain had to clear his throat right after, like he could smell the lie. Victoria’s attention swung to him immediately.

“Oh, Jesus! Who do we have here? A charming prince?” she said, pulling him forward from behind me into the spotlight.

He grinned, clearly enjoying the way her hand grazed his face, studying him like art.

“Mum, he’s not a prince. He’s Owain, Karry’s brother. Well, her brother’s friend,”

Nathan cut in, trying to save me from explaining.

Didn’t matter. She was hooked, already tugging him toward the chair. Looked like she’d found a new idol. Malcom had held that title for years, she’d beg me to bring him over for lunch ever since the first time he dropped me off for dinner.

I stepped out of the scene, letting her have her fun. Nathan could sulk all he wanted. My arms found Juliet, and I carried her to her room, tickling her until she squirmed and giggled.

I set her down gently on the bed, smiling."So… you were dying to see me?" I teased.

Her smile vanished in an instant like she couldn't wait to spill out whatever it was she wanted to say."Leave that aside, Karry. I wanted to see you so badly because…" She hesitated before pulling out her iPad, and scrolled until she found a picture, then shoved it in my face.

She spoke with that calmness of an older sister giving me advice before college, only she was just fourteen.

"Can you explain this?"

Her eyes burned through me. My body went still, my throat dry, heat creeping over my skin.It was Nathan… kissing Ellie on his bed.

"Uh…" I tried, but no words came.

"I took this when Nathan didn’t know. I know it means you guys broke up already, but… I didn’t want that. That’s why I wanted to talk with you."

"Look, Juliet, I’m still friends with your brother, alright?"

"I don’t want friends. And I hate Ellie. She’s a clown." She snapped.

"Hey, hate’s a strong word. Okay?... I’ll think about it."

Before I could say more, Nathan walked in. Like she’d been waiting for it, Juliet slipped off the bed."Shoot your shot, grumpy pants," she whispered at him, but loud enough for me to hear.

She closed the door behind her.

Nathan came over, settling beside me."So—"

"Don’t even start, Nathan. You can’t talk me into anything. And using your sister can't change my mind either."

"Why?"

I stared at him. Was he serious? Asking why?

I got to my feet, heading for the door, but he stepped in my way.

"I f*cking love you, Karry. You know that. You can’t just erase it because I made one mistake." His gaze roamed over me, everywhere except my eyes.

"One mistake?" I laughed bitterly. "That’s a joke, right? You told me she was your girlfriend. And I stood there like an idiot while you carried Ellie in your arms and walked away. So what’s this bullsh*t?"

"I was just trying to get back at you, okay? Remember that jerk claiming you were his girlfriend, and you walked off with him?"

"That doesn’t give you the d*man right to f*ck my best friend! And stop calling Owain a jerk."

"Wait, are you actually taking his side now?"

I swallowed my anger and reached for the door handle instead, but he grabbed my waist, pulling me close. His hands locked behind my back, holding me there. Our eyes met.

"Just tell me you don’t want me, and I’ll back off."

I swallowed hard. His cologne mixed with the heat radiating between us. I could feel him c*CK hard, pressing against me, and there was something in his eyes that made my chest tighten. But no. I couldn’t feel the same. Not after what he'd done to me.

"I’m still mad at you. I’m not forgiving you," I said, my voice suddenly lower now.

His eyes held mine, steady and unblinking, like he was trying to read every secret I’d ever buried.

“You’re sure about that?” he murmured, his lips dangerously close to mine.

My pulse was a wild drum in my ears. It wasn’t fear. It wasn’t just anger either. It was… something I didn’t dare name.

"Let me go," I managed to say.

And...

That was when the door flung open.

Goodness! Owain?

He walked in. His face unreadable… at first. Then his eyes shifted. They weren’t just on us, they were locked on Nathan, sharp and unreadable, like a man deciding whether to throw a punch or a warning.

God. Not again.