Chapter 4

AUSTIN POV

My heart sank into my stomach.

I continue climbing up the stairs with heavy legs,

The bedroom door was slightly ajar, soft golden light spilling into the hall from the bedside lamp.

The scene that greets me breaks my heart into a thousand pieces. 

Lila.....my Lila.....straddling Marcus, completely naked. Skin flushed and glistening with sweat under the low bedside lamp. 

Her hair wild and tangled down her back. 

Her breasts rising and falling with each slow, deep roll of her hips. Head tipped slightly back, 

Marcus beneath her. His hands are clamped tight on her hips, his fingers digging into her flesh.Eyes half-shut in raw pleasure. They didn’t notice me right away.

I stood frozen in the doorway, hand locked around the knob so hard my knuckles ached. 

The room smelled of them.....her vanilla-and-amber perfume, his familiar cedar cologne, sex heavy in the air. 

A half-empty bottle of the Cabernet I’d brought from Napa sat on the nightstand beside two wine glasses, one rim still stained with her lipstick.

I stand there too stunned to speak,then Lila opens her eyes and locked eyes with me,she froze.

Marcus felt the change, his grip tightening for a second before he followed her gaze to the doorway “Fuck.....!”

He sat upright, trying to push her off. She scrambled backward so fast she nearly tumbled off the bed, snatching the twisted sheet to cover herself. 

Marcus grabbed a pillow, clutching it over his lap like it could erase what I’d just seen. His face went ghost-white.

I still hadn’t moved.

“What… is this?” my voice sounded ridiculously small 

Lila clutched the sheet around her chest, bare legs trembling as she slid off the mattress. “Austin… you’re… you’re back early.”

Marcus was already stammering from the bed. “Bro.....wait.....wait, man, it’s not.....okay, it is, but.....Jesus Christ, let me explain.....”

“Explain,” I echoed as I took one step forward. Then another. My legs felt detached from my body.

Lila moved toward me, sheet dragging behind her tears streaming down her face. “Baby, please. We were drinking. Talking about the wedding, the stress, everything piling up, and it just… it just happened. I swear.....”

“Drinking.” My eyes flicked to the nightstand again. The Cabernet. Her lipstick on the glass. The bottle we were supposed to finish together when I got back.

Marcus tried to stand, the pillow still clutched awkwardly in front of him. “Austin, I swear to God.....man, I’m so fucking sorry. It was one time. One stupid, drunk mistake. Don’t.....don’t lose it, okay?”

Lila reached for my arm. “I love you. You know I love you. This doesn’t change.....”

I couldn't help but laugh in her face 

“Doesn’t change anything?” My voice cracked “You’re naked in our bed, fucking my cousin like I haven’t touched you in months.”

She recoiled like I’d slapped her.

Marcus stood toward the side of the bed. “Austin.....”

I move without thinking, grabbing him by the throat,yanking him off the mattress and slamming him back against the headboard. 

The wood cracked against the wall. His head snapped to the side,his eyes wide with terror. He knew how ruthless I was but he never thought he would be at the receiving end of it.

“Explain now,” I snarled,“Tell me how this is just one time.”

His face reddened as his hands scrabble at my wrist making gurgling sounds as he struggle to breathe 

Lila screamed, “Austin, stop! You’re going to kill him.....please!”

She threw herself at us,her small, shaking hands shoving my chest, nails digging in. “Stop. I’m begging you. Please.”

I released him.

Marcus collapsed to the floor in a heap, coughing violently, blood trickling from where his head hand connected with the headboard. He curled up, wheezing, hands covering his face.

I staggered back two steps, my chest was burning, squeezed so tight I couldn't breathe.

Lila stayed between us, couch on the floor comforting Marcus, pressing against the cut on his head trying to stop the bleeding.

For a second she looked like the woman I’d knelt in front of with a ring.....vulnerable, beautiful, mine.

She turns to me and I can see nothing but pure righteous anger for as she cleans the tears on her face with the back of her hand 

Her voice comes out cold and final “Get out.”

I blinked slowly, not believing my ears. “What?”

“You heard me.” She stepped forward, her eyes blazing. “Get. Out.”

The room spins.

The words keep coming like she had bottled them up and today decided to break the can of worms

“Marcus actually sees me. He listens when I speak. He’s here.....every single day.....while you’re always gone, chasing another deal, another city, another fucking trinket you think can stand in for you.”

He fucks me like I’m wanted. Like I matter. Not like some pretty obligation you check off before the next flight. So take your guilt-gifts, your private jets, your perfect little surprises, and leave. He’s the one I want.”

Marcus stayed on the floor, whimpering softly.

I stared at her at the woman that use to be mine, the woman who was suppose to be my forever 

I couldn't help myself another laugh escape me it sounded hollow and ugly 

“You’re right,” I said, my voice quiet. “You two deserve each other.”

I turned and walked out because if I stay another second they would both be leaving in body bags.

The door closed behind me with a soft, final click. 

In the hallway I slid down the wall until I hit the floor. My hands are shaking too hard to hold anything steady.

Tears came hot and fast before I could stop them.

I fumbled for my phone and hit Jax’s number.

It rang once. Twice.

“Yo, Austin? You back already? How’d she.....”

“Jax…” My voice broke completely. “She was fucking Marcus. In our bed. Naked. Please. Come get me. I can’t.....I can’t be here anymore. Please.”

“Shit. I’m already in the car. Stay right there. Don’t move. I’m coming.”

The phone slipped from my fingers into my lap.

I stared at the closed bedroom door.

And the woman I’d built my forever around had just looked me in the eye and chosen someone else.

I closed my eyes.

And let the pieces of me fall apart