Bye-Bye Jerk, Hello Mr. Right

Wayne paused, looking at me puzzled.

I gave a bitter smile. “Your mom had it renovated.”

Handing him his bag. I said, “You go ahead and settle in. I’ve got some packing to do too.” He nodded, and I headed to my room.

The room still had both my and Jace’s stuff. It was clear no one had stayed here since I left.

‘Looks like Jace hasn’t been back at all. So where’s he been? At Splendor Heights with Tanya?

Thinking about it made my chest tighten again. I thought I had moved on from Jace, but the wound still needed time to heal.

I forced myself not to dwell on it and started packing.

Over the

the years, I had developed a habit of minimalism, so my clothes and personal items weren’t excessive. Everything fit into one suitcase.

As I was almost done, there was a knock on the door. I walked over and opened it to find Wayne standing there.

He had changed clothes and glanced past me to see the open suitcase on the bed. His brow furrowed. Are you moving out of our home?”

“Yeah, it would be awkward to stay,” I said, turning back to finish packing. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Wayne followed me into the room. When he spotted Jace’s clothes still hanging in the open closet, his hands clenched slightly.

“You’ve been with Jace for so long. Leaving like this… are you really okay with it?” he asked slowly.

“Okay with it? That phrase again?‘ I thought. I said after a pause, “You know I’m good at letting things go.”

Wayne stayed quiet while I kept packing. When I finally zipped up the suitcase, I was about to lift it off the bed when Wayne reached out and pressed it down.

I looked up and met his eyes.

Wayne’s eyes were clear and pure, refreshing and calming, totally different from Jace’s frosty glare and Hayden’s smoldering intensity.

“Rea, you said this is your home,” he said softly, his voice heavy with unspoken emotion.

I got it he wanted me to stay.

“Wayne, do you really think I belong here now?” I gestured toward the bed with the two pillows side by side. “Do you expect me to share a bed with Jace after our breakup?”

Something flickered in Wayne’s eyes, too fast for me to catch

He slowly withdrew his hand, his voice deep. “Will you still come back?”

“Of course,” I said, smiling.

But I knew even if I did, it would be rare, or maybe I wouldn’t come back at all.

That whole thing about staying friends or family after a breakup–it never worked for me.

“Will you still consider me your brother?” Wayne asked, sounding hurt.

My heart ached, but I forced a smile. “Always, you’ll always be my brother.”

“Then…” He hesitated, his gaze deepening. “Can I hug you one last time?”

I was momentarily stunned. Before I could respond, he pulled me into his arms.

His warm breath brushed against my hair, slipping through the strands and into my skin. It hit me right in

the heart.