The Tale Of Hearts

Chapter 95

Hyden's POV

I watched her come down the stairs,ans that jerk's face lighting up the second he saw her. My jaw clenched as he shot up off the couch, that smug, over the top grin plastered on his face, and crossed the room to pull her into a hug that was way too close for my liking. And the worst part? She looked happy to see him. Her whole face lit up, making something twist hard in my chest. My hands balled into fists at my sides, twitching with the urge to drag her away from him and crack this bastard's  head open. What the fuck is he even doing here? And is he seriously dumb enough to think I'd believe his little story?

"Hey, cutie pie," he murmured, his voice low, grinning down at her like they were sharing some private joke. My teeth ground together, my fingers digging into my crossed arms. He pulled her even closer, and she actually blushed, looking flustered and damn it all, not even noticing that I was right here, watching. They talked in those low, familiar tones, like he belonged here with her, in my house. It was wrong. Completely wrong. This bastard had no business making her laugh, making her look at him like that, like he was someone who mattered to her.

Then my mom's voice cut through, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Why don't you stay with us tonight?" Her suggestion hit me like a slap to the face. Seriously?? Mom?? She shot me a quick glance, her eyebrows raised, and I knew what was coming. "Hyden, it's okay if Bryan stays in your room with you guys tonight, right?"

I could practically feel this bastard smirking. My fists clenched tighter, holding back a scowl as I nodded stiffly, every muscle in my shoulders tensing as I turned and walked down the hall to my room without a word. I didn't need to look back to know he was watching me, probably laughing it off in his head like he was some kind of prince who could just stroll in and take whatever he wanted. 

The room felt claustrophobic as I shut the door, fury simmering just below the surface. I wanted him gone, away from her. But it wasn't only just that he was here. It was the way she looked back at him, like they shared some unspoken understanding. She hadn't once noticed the way I stood there, waiting for her to look at me instead, to get her eyes on me. I hated the way jealousy churned in my gut, sharp and angry, with every laugh she shared with him. I have all the right to feel this way, because she is mine.  She'd gotten under my skin, and the thought of her with anyone else made me feel like I was suffocating.

Then, soft laughter and muffled voices drifted through the hall. I moved closer to the door, straining to catch bits and pieces of their conversation. Bryan was still out there, talking to her. Still making her laugh.  I pressed my back against the door, running a hand through my hair, trying to shake the frustration burning through me. But the images kept coming back, sharper and more relentless, and I could feel the anger scraping against every nerve.

The night felt like it dragged on forever. After everyone had gone to their rooms, Bryan strutted into ours with a careless ease that grated on my nerves. He tossed his bag on the floor like he owned the place, flashing that casual grin of his. Meanwhile, Kevin, eyed Bryan like he couldn't believe this was happening.

"So, roomies, huh?" Bryan said, dropping onto the other side edge of my bed with a satisfied sigh. "Man, it's been ages since we hung out together like this!"

Kevin rolled his eyes. "Pretty sure we never 'hung out' like this, man," he muttered, settling himself on the inflatable mattress I'd barely managed to find in the storage closet. It was already sagging, and Kevin looked less than thrilled.

Bryan just shrugged, completely oblivious. "True!!!! we never get to be buddies, right?" He flashed me a grin, leaning back and propping his feet up like he had zero concept of personal space.