Love is Beautiful (She's so Ugly)

Chapter Twenty Three

Jacob slammed the groceries down on the counter, jaw tight, anger radiating off him.

Jane caught the look instantly. She flicked her eyes toward Jeremy, who only shrugged. Then she cleared her throat. "Why the long face, little brother?"

Jacob shot her a glare, then shook his head. "Nothing. Just... I think I'm in love with two girls."

"Oof." Jeremy let out a low whistle. "That's rough."

Jane silenced him with one sharp glare before turning back to Jacob, arms crossed. She studied him a long moment, then said, "Are you sure it's love? Could just be longing for closure. Or maybe you're clinging to the past. Sometimes grief feels like love too."

"I don't even know anymore..." Jacob muttered.

Jane softened, moving closer to wrap him in a hug, rubbing his back. "It's okay, little brother. You'll figure it out. You're smarter than Jeremy, at least."

"Hey! I heard that!" Jeremy barked, which earned a laugh from both Jane and Jacob.

But later, when Jacob texted Brandon to play ball, he wasn't laughing anymore. Elise hadn't messaged him back in a day, and he didn't feel like chasing her.

At the court, Brandon showed up with a bag of fries in hand. The moment he saw Jacob's face, he knew something was off.

"Hey!" Brandon called.

Jacob stopped dribbling, walking over for their usual handshake. He sat down on the bleachers, sighing.

"She's back. Different," he said flatly.

Merida, Brandon thought. Of course. Does Leo know yet? He probably did. That guy was always hard to read. "So what—are you trying to care now?"

"I cared," Jacob said quickly. "Still do."

Brandon laughed, sharp and humorless. "Cared? You dropped her the second Elise came back. Don't act like you were some saint. Merida's not yours to care for anymore."

Jacob's eyes narrowed. "Why the hell are you making me sound like the bad guy? Whose side are you on?"

Brandon tilted his head, something steely in his gaze. Enough was enough—he wasn't covering for Jacob anymore.

"I invited Elise to the festival," Brandon admitted, "just to prove if you were really over her. Guess what? You weren't. And for the record, I'm on Merida's side."

Jacob blinked, stunned. "You... planned it? Why? Why are you against me?"

"I'm not against you. I just wanted you to face the truth. You chose that bitch Elise. Don't pin that on me."

"Don't you dare call her that," Jacob snapped, shoving him back. "Why the fuck are you even this mad?"

Brandon's composure cracked. His voice boomed across the empty court. "Because Elise never wanted you! She's always wanted Leo. You were just a step closer to him. She used you!"

Jacob's blood boiled. He clenched his fists, ready to swing. Brandon didn't flinch.

"Go on. Hit me. Like you hit Leo," Brandon spat. Then his mouth twisted into a smirk. "But here's the thing—you, me, and him? We all like the same girl."

Jacob froze, fury colliding with disbelief. "Y-you—"

"I liked her long before you even noticed her," Brandon cut in, voice low and sharp. "Remember when you first asked me who she was? I told you she was ugly. I said it so you'd lose interest. But you didn't." His hands shoved Jacob's grip off his shirt. "So now I'm telling you straight—leave her alone if you don't know you love her."

He turned, his final words echoing: "I was there when she left. And you weren't."

Then Brandon walked off, fries forgotten, leaving Jacob trembling in rage.

Jacob hurled the ball across the court with a roar, clutching his head. "Fool, fool, fool!" he muttered, slapping his forehead over and over. He'd been blind. Stupid. And now, apparently, three of them loved the same girl.

Merida.

How the hell was he supposed to face Brandon tomorrow?

It was six when his phone finally buzzed. Elise. She wanted to meet at a restaurant.

Jacob went, not because he wanted to see her, but because he needed answers.

Elise arrived smiling, kissing his cheek before sitting across from him. She caught his stony expression and frowned. "What's wrong?"

Jacob's eyes locked onto hers. "Do you honestly love me?"

She blinked, caught off guard, then forced a laugh. "Of course I do. I've always loved you—"

"You loved Leo," Jacob cut in coldly. "You dated me to get closer to him. You fooled me once. And now you're trying to fool me again."

Elise's face faltered. She looked away, voice trembling. "I'll admit... I did love Leo. But I learned to love you too. Isn't that what matters now?"

Jacob's lips curled in a bitter smile. He finally saw it. He'd been blinded, clinging to her return out of pain, not love.

"You know," he said, standing, "I almost believed I loved you again. Turns out I was wrong. So damn wrong."

He started to leave, but Elise grabbed his arm desperately. "I'm sorry, Jacob! I was stupid back then, but I swear I love you now. I'll prove it!"

"Stop it," Jacob muttered, shaking her off. His voice broke, quieter now. "Don't turn into me—pathetic, begging for someone who already let go."

He walked out, Elise's voice chasing after him.

"I'll prove it, Jacob! I'll prove I love you!"

But he didn't look back. For once, he was certain.

He didn't want Elise.

He wanted his Love.