He Chose His Old Crush and Lost Me Chapter 02

He Chose His Old Crush and Lost Me Chapter 02

Alex followed his gaze and spotted me.

He grinned and waved me over.

“Lily, what are you doing all the way back there? Come say hi.”

My feet felt like they were glued to the floor.

I forced myself to step forward.

She was his girlfriend. So what the hell was I?

By the time I reached their table, I’d forced my face into something resembling normal.

Alex raised an eyebrow, amused.

“What’s with you? Usually you can’t wait to throw yourself at Jake the second you see him. Suddenly shy?”

I tugged at my sleeve, forcing a laugh.

“Don’t be weird, Alex.”

He frowned, then his face lit up with fake realization.

“Ohhh—is it because Jake’s girlfriend showed up?”

Jake’s hands, hanging at his sides, curled into fists.

He shot me a quick glance, then turned to Elena.

“Lena, this is Alex’s sister, Lily.”

He paused, then added:

“Pretty much like a little sister to me.”

The world went quiet for a second.

My heart clenched, heavy and dull.

Six years of crushing. One year of dating. And I was still just the sister.

Elena smiled warmly at me.

“Hi there, Lily.”

I pressed my feet together, steadying myself.

I reached out and shook her hand.

“Nice to meet you… Elena.”

Jake’s smile flickered.

Alex burst out laughing, practically glowing.

“See? My sister’s got charm,” he said, elbowing me. “You never talk to me like that—what gives?”

I swallowed the bitterness crawling up my throat and tugged at his sleeve.

“Didn’t we have somewhere to be? Let’s not crash their date.”

Alex slapped his forehead, suddenly remembering the gift.

He nodded.

But before we could move, Elena’s voice rang out again.

“Don’t rush off—since we’re all here, why don’t we grab dinner together?”

Her tone lilted up, playful and sweet.

“Right, Jake?”

Jake’s mouth curved into a smile.

“If the princess says so, who am I to say no?”

That same indulgent tone.

The one he used with me.

Elena flushed and swatted his arm, embarrassed.

Jake waved lazily at Alex.

“Park your ass. Dinner’s on me tonight.”

Alex shot back a laugh and a curse.

Then he tilted his head at me, eyebrows raised—asking silently.

Tears burned behind my eyes.

I shoved them down.

I nodded at my brother with a smile.

If Jake could act like nothing happened after cheating, I wasn’t about to be the one who ran.

“I need to hit the restroom.”

“Sure,” Alex said. “Want me to come with?”

I shook my head, still smiling.

I turned.

And the tears fell.