Beastly: Sequel to "Mr. Perfect"

Chapter 28: Zanetti Healing and Wellness

✨Evan (P.O.V.)

"Evan," Jake's voice cut in behind me, sharp, warning.

I ignored him, my chest heaving.

"Evan, enough," he said again, louder this time.

I could hear the crunch of his shoes on the pavement as he came closer.

"Don't test me, Brittany," I whispered. "Because I'll prove it to you real quick that whatever game you're playing—it ends here."

"Evan!" Jake exclaimed, right beside me.

His hand clamped down on my shoulder and pulled me back a step.

I snapped my head toward him, my anger blazing.

"Stay out of this, Jake," I said.

"The hell I will," he shot back, planting himself between us.

He shoved at my chest to create space, his face tight with frustration.

"I also can't stand this Brittany," he said. "But do you think this is the way to get answers? Anybody can see this and misinterpret it. And that won't be good for you."

"All I know is that she's lying," I spat, voice raw. "She's always lying. You don't get—"

"No, I do get it," he said. "I've been right there, watching her pull her crap time after time, same as you. But this?"

He gestured at Brittany, who was rubbing her arms where I'd grabbed her, her face red, her eyes wet.

"This isn't you, Evan," Jake said. "You're not him anymore."

Brittany let out a shaky breath.

"I told you...I told you I didn't have to come forward," she said. "I didn't have to put myself in this."

I turned back on her, my fury sparking again, but Jake shoved me back another step, his arm put like a barricade.

"Enough, Brittany," he said. "We heard you. You've made your point."

"Do you see how she's playing victim?" I asked.

Brittany straightened at that, blinking through the tears.

"No, she doesn't get to play the victim here, Jake," I said. "Not after everything."

"I'm not playing victim, Evan," she said. "And I'm not your enemy, either. I am here because I care. Believe it or not, but that is the truth."

My chest burned, my hands still shaking with the urge to grab her again, to force her to admit the game I know she is playing.

However, Jake's hand stayed firm on my chest, holding me back, holding me down.

I glared past him at Brittany.

"If you drag Faith into this—if you so much as breathe a word of your game to her—you'll regret it," I warned.

Brittany's lips parted, her eyes wide and wet.

"Get a grip, man," Jake said. "There are people all around here. If things get ugly, it will be in tomorrow's headlines. She's not worth going through that kind of embarrassment."

I rolled my eyes, stepping back.

"You can hate me all you want, Evan," Brittany said. "But right now, we need each other. All of us. If we keep going at each other like this, we'll never figure this out."

"Don't try to spin this like we're some kind of team, Brittany," I said.

"As much as it kills me to say this," Jake muttered, glancing between us, "She's right. We can't keep going at each other like this. The only way we can move on from this and get on with our lives is if we figure this out. And that's not going to happen unless we set our differences aside."