The Weight Of Leaving by Riven Kade novel Chapter 6

Why wasn’t he off comforting his little miss innocent instead of coming after me?

“There’s no need,” Carter said. “And you and Landon are together now? I’m telling you, he’s not someone you

get to set your sights on.”

I let out a cold laugh. “So in your eyes, I’m never as good as Lexi, is that it, or do you think I’m all in on you

for life?”

“I’ve never thought that,” he said.

Maybe he told himself he hadn’t, but his actions screamed it to everyone else–Lexi deserved the best because she was sweet and reasonable, and I was nothing but something you scraped off the bottom of

your shoe.

Still on the phone with me, Carter tore through room after room. Ever since Landon had carried me out earlier, Carter had been wound tight and restless, like he couldn’t settle.

“Open the door,” he snapped.

He tried the handle a few more times and realized it was locked. I knew if I didn’t open the door, he’d keep

making a scene.

“This is Landon’s private lounge,” he said the second I cracked it. “Come with me.”

In his head, I still belonged to him, and nobody else was allowed to touch what was his–not even his bro.

“What does it have to do with you?” I shot back. “He’s my husband. If I’m in his lounge, what’s the problem? If

you’re that bored, go find your Lexi.”

“You’re shameless, Renee.”

“Lexi?” a voice cut in. “What are you talking about?”

She’d come upstairs looking for Carter and walked in right on that line.

“You heard what she said,” Lexi hissed, her face twisting. “And you’re giving her way too much grace. Does she even know who she is, thinking she can set her sights on the Hales? She’d never even make it through

the Quinns‘ front door.”

Carter frowned at her, the look on her face sharp and ugly in a way he clearly hadn’t seen before. The words

she’d thrown out also rubbed him wrong.

“Lexi, watch your mouth,” he said. “She’s my fiancée.”

Chapter 6

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Only then did Lexi realize she’d overstepped. “Sorry, Carter. I didn’t mean it like that. I just… I panicked.”

“That’s the Hales‘ business,” he said, voice tightening. “Why are you panicking?”

I leaned against the doorframe. “Because the one she actually wants is Landon. She can’t clear the Hales‘ front door, so she settled for you instead, and you still treat her like she’s priceless.”

“What are you talking about?” Carter snapped. “I only see her as a bro. I don’t feel anything romantic.”

Even so, my words hooked under his ribs, because that pathetic male pride of his couldn’t stand the idea that the woman he’d been protecting might be eyeing his bro instead.

“No, Carter,” Lexi said fast. “She’s making things up. She’s the one with designs on Landon, and now she

wants to throw me under the bus.”

Carter didn’t argue. He grabbed my wrist and started dragging me toward the hall.

“Come home,” he said. “This is the Hales‘ place. Staying here will only cause Landon trouble.”

“Let go of me,” I snapped, yanking back. “This is my home. If you two want to lose it, do it outside. Stop barking in my house. I don’t have time for your games.”

Something in that set them both off, because suddenly they were pulling together like they’d teamed up.

“Come with me,” Lexi spat. “What right do you have to be here? You think you can seduce Landon? Who do

you think you are?”

Carter looked annoyed for a split second, but he said nothing. If it got me out the door, he was willing to

pretend he hadn’t heard it.

“Carter, don’t force me to hate you,” I said, voice shaking. “You wanted her, so I stepped aside. Why are you still barging into my life?”

“I told you, she’s just my bro,” he insisted. “Nothing else. And the wedding venue is already set–you just need to show up and be my bride. Didn’t you always want to marry me? You should be happy.”

Happy about what–marrying him, spending my days getting chewed up by his mother at home and getting blindsided by his girl–bro outside? I’d probably shave a decade off my life.

“Marrying you isn’t happening,” I said. “Because I’m already Mrs. Hale.”

Chapter 6