Page 51 of Don’t Fall For Your Ex-Boyfriend's Brother

"Okay," I say, settling back into my chair, the familiar cushion embracing me as I begin to open up to Violet about Tripp—the good, the complicated, and everything in between. I don’t hold back, letting the words flow as I recount every moment, every touch, every lingering doubt. The cozy atmosphere of the shop feels like a safe haven, the soft light casting comforting shadows as I finally let out everything that’s been weighing on me.

Violet listens intently, her gaze never wavering as I pour out my heart. She’s always been the friend who listens without judgment, the one who somehow makes everything seem a little clearer just by being there. When I finally pause, taking a deep breath, she lifts her glass and takes a long, thoughtful sip of her wine.

"I see," she says slowly, her voice carrying that familiar tone of understanding. "So, you think he doesn’t value you?"

I shake my head slightly, the smooth surface of the wine glass cool against my fingertips as I twirl it absently. "No, I know he values me," I reply, my voice softer now, laced with uncertainty. "But there’s something else. Like he’s ashamed to tell anyone about us. Like maybe he’s happy with this whole thing being his dirty little secret."

Violet nods, her expression sympathetic as she leans forward, her eyes never leaving mine. "Is there a reason you think this?" she asks gently, sensing there’s more beneath the surface.

I lower my head slightly, studying the way the light refracts through the wine in my glass, a myriad of tiny prisms reflecting the uncertainty swirling in my mind. "Yeah," I admit, the word coming out in a quiet exhale.

She leans even closer, her presence radiating warmth and understanding. "Tell me," she prompts softly, her voice encouraging me to keep going.

I hesitate for a moment, but when our eyes meet, I see the genuine concern in her green eyes, and it gives me the courage to continue. "I used to date his older brother," I confess, the words heavy with the weight of my past. "And I think he’s scared Brock wouldn’t understand."

Violet’s eyes widen, a flash of surprise flickering across her face as she processes this new information. "Oh dear," she murmurs, her voice tinged with a mix of concern and curiosity. "What do you think?"

I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. "Brock is happy," I say, more to convince myself than anything. "He’s dating someone new, and we didn’t end things on bad terms. We just realized we weren’t good together. We never even had sex." The last part slips out, an added detail that feels important somehow, a piece of the puzzle that might explain why I’m so conflicted.

Violet listens carefully, her expression thoughtful as she processes everything I’ve told her. After a moment, she tilts her head slightly, a small frown creasing her brow. "Hmm," she hums, considering her words carefully. "Maybe you should ask Tripp what his deal is."

The suggestion hangs in the air between us, simple yet profound, and I feel a slight shift within me. It’s a logical step, but the idea of confronting Tripp about it makes my heart race with anxiety. Still, Violet’s right—I can’t keep tiptoeing around this forever.

"Yeah," I nod slowly, feeling the weight of her advice sink in. "Maybe I should."