Chapter 32 SOMETHING BIG
THANE
She sighed, lowering her gaze. “Thane…” Then she looked back up at me. “I really need to talk to him. It’s important.”
Yeah. Important.
I could already feel everything I was trying to hold back slipping through the cracks. I should’ve never let her get that close to him. Not even for a second. Jae had this way of getting under people’s skin. Making them believe he was the better choice.
But he wasn’t.
I dragged a hand through my hair, jaw tightening. The thought alone made something dark twist inside me. I felt like walking upstairs, dragging him out, and knocking him out dead.
Her eyes kept shifting, uneasy… because of that jerk.
I exhaled sharply and shoved my hands into my pockets, trying to steady myself. “I don’t care if it’s important.” My voice was low. “You’re not going.”
“We kissed.” The words came out quietly but almost like she forced it out. I knew it was born from pure frustration.
Her chest rose and fell fast, but it was nothing compared to the way mine locked up. Tight and painful. It felt like they slammed into my gut like a fist.
She held my gaze, breathing fast. “We were in this moment and… I almost thought I liked him too.” She paused, swallowing, “Except I didn’t… But Jae is a good guy. He helped me when he didn’t have to.”
“No.” My voice came out quieter than I expected, but still edged. “You’ve known him for a day, Rachel. That’s not enough. And you have no idea what talking about him right now does to me.”
She sighed, placing a hand on her hip, clearly frustrated as she spoke. “This isn’t about you. I just feel bad. I need to see him.”
I stepped closer. Slowly. “It’s nothing to him. That’s just how he operates. I know every fcking thing about that guy.”
She backed up as I advanced, but her voice stayed steady. “Sure, I don’t know everything about him. But I know he’s not a bad person. I don’t paint people black just because of one mistake. You should try that sometime.”
She finally succeeded in switching that part. ‘Cause something in me snapped the second she said it. “So now you’re a psychologist?” The sarcasm tasted bitter. “One conversation and you’ve got him all figured out?”
“Stop twisting my words,” she snapped. “That’s not what I’m saying.”
I let out a dry scoff. “Right. My bad for trying to protect you.” I gestured toward the stairs. “Go on then. Fcking go to him.”
I turned and headed for the living room before I could say worse. The distance felt necessary, like the only thing keeping me from losing control completely. I dropped onto the couch. The leather creaked under me as I leaned back, my jaw grinding hard.
Her footsteps followed a moment later. “I’m a person, Thane. Not some robot you can control,” she said, her voice cutting through the silence. “Whatever issues you have with him, that’s on you. If we’re going to start something—”
“We?” I cut in with a short, humorless laugh, glancing over my shoulder. “You’re getting ahead of yourself, shorty. There’s no we…” I caught the shock in her eyes before I added flatly, “...yet.”
I folded my arms. “Seems like you still need time to figure out what you want. Take it.”
She let out a bitter laugh. “Right. I almost forgot who I’m dealing with… Thane Adams.” She turned toward the stairs. “I’m not doing this with you right now.”
I didn’t bother replying or stopping her. I just faced forward, staring at nothing.
Her footsteps echoed against the tile, then she suddenly paused. “You know what?” Her voice was calm but still sharp. “I think everyone’s right about you.”
My veins burned.
“You’re an ashole.”
Then she was gone. I stayed on the couch, watching her walk away. Yeah… I was a dick. And right now, the worst part was how little I regretted it.
THANE
By morning, I’d already called Noah to come get me. His car rolled in just as Rachel stepped out with Jae right beside her.
I looked away like I hadn’t seen them. I had bigger sht to deal with anyway. Molly had already called, reminding me of our deal. My phone was almost blown up with calls from my pops. And sleep? Yeah… that didn’t happen.
Still… My eyes betrayed me for a second. Just long enough to catch Jae guiding her to the car, like she couldn't manage it by herself.
She has hands. Why the hell was she letting him?
I looked away again, nostrils flaring. I noticed the dark circles that shadowed her eyes. She looked drained. Part of me wanted to drag her back inside, but the smarter part knew I’d only make it worse after last night.
Right then, Noah stepped out of his car and walked straight to her. I didn’t catch the words, but I saw the way she glanced at me before nodding at whatever he said. Then he pulled her into a hug. She didn’t even look like she had the energy to respond, as if all the fight from last night had drained out of her.
I stayed planted there, until Jae’s car disappeared out of sight. Only then did Noah walk back to me.
“You good, man?” he asked, casually, eyebrow raised.
I held his gaze. “The key.” stretching out my hand. “I’m driving.”
For once, he didn’t argue. “Alright… just take it easy.”
I didn’t respond. I got in, he slid into the passenger seat, and I hit the gas.
The drive stayed quiet. Until Noah finally spoke.
“I didn’t think I’d have to ask before you told me about Joe.” His eyes flicked toward me. “What happened to her could’ve been a lot worse, Thane.”
My grip strangled the wheel. “I’ve got it under control,” I said, my voice flat. “Just leave Joe to me.”
He scoffed under his breath. “That’s exactly the problem with you.” He shifted in his seat. “We should loop in the cops. This isn’t safe to handle solo anymore.”
I let out a sharp breath. “Unless you’re trying to land both of us in jail, I’d drop that idea.” I glanced at him briefly. “You even know what you’re saying?”
My jaw tightened. “My dad can’t find out I’m still mixed up in this sht.” I looked back at the road and paused, the last words tasting bitter, “Just stay out of it, Noah.”
Fine. I hear you.” Noah leaned back in his seat, exhaling. “We’ve been down this road before, and yeah, I let you handle it.” His tone shifted, firmer now. “But not this time. I’m protecting her too.”
I didn’t look at him.
“And just so we’re clear,” he added, his eyes cutting toward my side, “I see what you’re doing. Rachel isn’t one of those girls you mess with and walk away from.”
I honestly didn’t know whose stepsister she was supposed to be anymore.
“I told you before… we might be guys, but she’s like a little sister to me. I care about her.”
That made me turn. “Why are you telling me that?” I asked flatly, pretending I didn't know he already caught me. “She’s my stepsister.”
He let out a short, mocking breath. “Exactly. That’s what I want you to remember.”
Another silence fell between us again. But that wasn’t what sat heavy on my chest.
Noah still hung up on Joe’s case and Rachel? That was one thing. But figuring out that it was Molly all along… that was a whole different problem.
And if he ever found out about that… Yeah. That would be worse.
I pulled into the compound and killed the engine. The quiet inside the car stretched a little too long. I reached for my seat-belt, unfastening it, but I could feel Noah’s eyes still on me, watching, like he was trying to piece something together. As if he knew I wasn’t telling him everything.
“Thanks for the ride,” I said, already pushing the door open.
“You still coming to Galaxy tonight?” he asked, leaning slightly across his seat.
“I’m out,” I replied without looking back. “Got things to handle.”
“You might want to rethink that,” he said. “I think T invited Rachel.”
Look who was suddenly all concerned about Rachel? Now he's using her to corner me?
I paused for half a second… then kept moving. “I said no. You heard me.”
I reached the door and shut it harder than necessary without another word.
The second I stepped inside, my stomach dropped. There, sitting on the chair like it was a throne — cool, composed, and already disappointed — was my father.
“Pops…”
He stood up slowly, facing me fully. That cold, unreadable expression told me everything I needed to know.
“Follow me. Right now.”
My chest tightened. After last night with Rachel, the sleepless drive with Noah breathing down my neck about Joe, and now this… whatever this was, it felt like the walls were closing in.
Just like that, with that face, I knew something big was about to drop.