I stumbled backward, pushing Aaron away. I could see the hurt in his eyes, and regret surged through me. Just as I was about to explain myself, I heard Jake's voice behind me. I froze in fear, praying that he didn't misinterpret what had just happened. All I wanted to do was comfort Aaron, but now it felt like I had done something wrong.
"What the fuck are you doing, bro?" Jake demanded to know.
"Claiming what should be mine," Aaron said.
"I'm not yours, Aaron! Stop saying stuff like that!" I protested.
"Why would you let him kiss you, Janey?" Jake looked at me.
"I didn't! He kissed me. I was just talking to him, and he..."
"You went too far, Aaron," Jake turned to Aaron and scowled. "She is my girlfriend. She picked me! Just get over it already. Why can't you just be happy for me?" he said.
Aaron bellows in rage, unable to contain his fury any longer. His voice vibrates with a fierce intensity, shaking the walls as he unleashes his anger. "I'm done with this! Tired of looking out for you when you can't do the same for yourself. I've sacrificed my own needs my whole life, putting up with your shenanigans and taking the blame for your mistakes!"
I guess the rumors were all lies. Aaron wasn't a bully. He fought people to protect Jake.
"And just when I found the girl I like, you step in and steal her away. I'm done putting yourself before me," Aaron finished and exhaled.
"Wow, I didn't know you felt that way," Jake shook his head. "I'm sorry you had to do all that because I'm a fuck up, I really am. But it doesn't change the fact that Jane likes me."
"I don't care about your sorry. I'm not letting you have her. Before, I thought I'd be okay if she chose either of us, but I'm not okay with this at all," Aaron said and tried to grab me again. He had really gone crazy.
"Don't touch her!" Jake cried and charged at Aaron to interfere. Aaron instinctively swung his fist at him, which landed directly on Jake's face.
I gasped loudly as I saw Jake crouching down, holding his nose. Blood seeped through his fingers.
"Fuck...I think you broke my fucking nose," Jake groaned.
Aaron snapped out of his angry state when he saw Jake was hurt. The anger on his face was replaced by concern.
"Oh shit Jake, I didn't mean to hit you, buddy," Aaron ran over to him.
"Don't you fucking touch me, asshole! I can't believe you hate me this much! I thought you always had my back even though Mom and dad don't give a shit about me. But I was wrong," he said. Sadness enveloped his face.
"Jake," I reached over to him.
"DON'T! This is all because of you. If we hadn't met you, none of this would've happened," Jake said in a fit of anger and pain.
I jolted back in shock. His words were like a stab in my heart. I never meant to drive the two brothers apart. They both liked me at the same time. I never chose to be in this situation!
"I'm done with this," Jake stormed off, holding his nose.
I just stood there, frozen in place.
"Uh...Jane," Aaron called me gently.
Tears started to stream down my cheeks. I couldn't control my emotions anymore. Is this it? Does Jake hate me now? But I didn't do anything wrong!
"I...I gotta go," I said and ran off sobbing.
I took an Uber home and cried all night. I couldn't believe how harsh he was. How is it my fault that Aaron is so hung up on me?
I faceplanted on the pillow. How could Jake say such mean things to me? He knows damn well it's not my fault that Aaron fought him over me. I get that he was hurt, but he had no right to take it out on me!
That's it. I don't want to see either of them ever again.
I went to school the next day, mentally preparing myself to avoid Jake at all costs. I saw him in the halls. He had a bandage on his nose. The surrounding areas of his nose were black and blue. Aaron really got him good.
My instinct was to run over there and hug him until his pain went away, but my stupid, stubborn self decided to pretend like I didn't care. But I did care. My heart hurts every time I looked at him.
He gave me a sad look when our eyes met but didn't say anything to me. So I guess he was still mad at me? But why, though? I didn't do anything!
~-~
The next day, the school was finally over and I got to go home. I couldn't wait to go home and drown in my own misery.
Aaron showed up at my front door a few hours later.
I was disappointed and mad at Aaron.
"Aaron, you jerk! Just leave me alone! It's your fault my Jakey won't talk to me!" I cried. My eyes were already tearing up.
He sighed. "Look, I came here to apologize. I acted like a child and I forced myself on you. I'm sorry," he said.
"You can't force someone to be with you. I...I love Jake!" I said and sobbed incessantly.
"You love him?" He sounded surprised.
I paused as I realized what I just said. I confirmed my feelings for him without a second thought. I was in love with Jake Morris!
"Yes," I said quietly.
"Well good, then you should come take care of this idiot. He had been acting annoying since you left. Pretty sure I heard him cry at one point," Aaron sounded irritated.
"What are you talking about?" I was confused.
"He had been moping around because he yelled at you for no reason. So now he wants you back, but he is too much of a coward to ask you directly to forgive him. Because he thinks you hate him. So please just come over and comfort him, for fuck's sake. He is driving me crazy because it was my fault in the first place," Aaron said.
Jake didn't hate me? My heart hammered against my chest.
"How do I know you aren't trying to trick me into kidnapping me again?" I looked at him suspiciously.
"I really am sorry. I hope you believe me. I really liked you, but I love my brother more. And I think he loves you too. He had never acted like this over a girl before. He is a wreck, and it has only been a day," Aaron said quietly.
"Did I hear Aaron's voice?" Liliana said from upstairs.
"Shit...we better get out of here," Aaron whispered. Fear reflected in his eyes and I couldn't help but giggle.
I quickly got into his car, and he drove me to his house.