Aaron

My mind was a blurry haze of confusion and determination as I yanked clothes out of my closet and tossed them messily into the open suitcase on my bed. I was doing this; I was really going to do this. Matt had made it clear that he wasn't on board, and as long as Matt wasn't on board, I knew Jake wouldn't be, either. It had always been the two of them, leaving me as the odd man out more often than not. But now, as the adrenaline surged through my veins, I felt a sense of excitement and freedom that I hadn't felt in years. I was going to leave this city behind and start fresh somewhere new. The thought of being able to reinvent myself was exhilarating.

As I zipped up my suitcase, I heard a knock at the door. Before I could answer it, Matt pushed it open, his eyes on fire.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice low and menacing.

"I'm leaving," I said simply, holding my ground.

Matt's jaw tightened. "You can't just leave, man. We're a team."

"Not anymore," I said firmly. "I need to do this for myself. I need to find out who I am without you guys holding me back."

Matt stepped forward, his face only inches from mine. "You're making a mistake," he growled. "You're nothing without us. You're nothing without Renee and you know it."

I felt a surge of anger. "You don't get to decide that," I said, pushing him back a step. "I can be successful, Matt. I can lead a life that has nothing to do with you." I didn't mention Renee. I couldn't bear to feel her name on my tongue. She didn't deserve this, but I didn't have a choice. I was going—with or without them.

Matt grabbed my arm, yanking me back. I stumbled but managed to keep my footing. Red-hot anger flashed through my chest, but I held back, not wanting to pick a fight with him now. He could probably take me, he'd always been able to, but at this moment I was so enraged I felt like I could wipe him out.

"You're not leaving," he snarled, tightening his grip. "I won't let you hurt Renee."

I shook my arm free, my heart racing. "It's not up to you," I snapped, my voice shaking with rage. "I am leaving. And you can't stop me. I love Renee, but I know she won't come with me. She'll stay here, with you and Jake. She'll always choose you over me. Always."

"Someone said my name," a soft voice said over Matt's shoulder. He turned just as I spotted Renee stepping into the bedroom, her eyes flicking curiously between Matt and me. Her silky red hair was tied in a bun on top of her head, and those emerald eyes pinned themselves on me, narrowing in suspicion. I almost stopped, almost fell to my knees in front of her, and begged her to join me.

But I didn't. Because I knew she wouldn't.

"Aaron," she said, stepping around Matt. "What's going on? Why are you packing?"

The wariness in her voice felt like an iron fist around my heart, but I stuck to my guns. I had to. I had to do this.

"I'm leaving, Ren," I said, ignoring Matt's clenched fists. I was on the lookout in case he decided to come at me again. "I have to do this."

"Do what?" she asked softly. "What do you have to do without me?"

"Go to Chicago. I have to. I have to at least try to see where it takes me, Okay? This is my life. My livelihood." I put my hands over my face as I tried to compose myself, resisting the urge to collapse on the bed and sob.

"Aaron—" Renee stepped forward, towards me, her arms out in an offering. Instead of letting her hold me, I stepped back, away from her, and shook my head.

"I'm going to Chicago," I repeated firmly. "At least to check it out. I don't expect you to go. I don't expect any of you to go. This is on me, okay? Just—just let me go and find out for myself what I could be missing."

"Aaron," Renee said again. Her tone was softer this time, but more demanding. Despite myself, I stopped packing and turned to face her.

"What?"

"You can't go," she said. "I know I said I supported whatever decision you made, but you can't go now."

"And why is that?" I demanded. Anger simmered beneath the surface, threatening to break through. I was a full-grown ass adult. I could do whatever I wanted. Yes, I loved Renee. I was devoted to her. But she would never leave Matt and Jake behind for me, so this was my only chance. My only opportunity. "Why can't I go to Chicago, Renee?"

She swallowed, her hands twisting in front of her nervously, eyes darting around the room as if she feared what she was about to say next. She looked so weak, so vulnerable as if the fight was all drained out of her. For a moment, I nearly reached forward and took her in my arms, but I couldn't. Not now.

"You can't go," she said again. "Because I'm pregnant. And I don't know whose it is."