“Of course she didn’t. Doesn’t change the fact that she did. But there are two important things to remember.” Slip went the bag off the pile. “One—I am a rebound, and I never should have expected to be anything more. And two—her life and mine will never, ever be compatible.”

Thunk.

“Have I ever told you that you assume a whole lot?”

At that, I paused, arms akimbo as I laid a hard look on my brother. “It’s my own fault. I shouldn’t have jumped in so fast, should have kept some space between us, but I thought I knew better. Selfishly, I got myself all wrapped up in her, and she did the same. There hasn’t been a breath between us for weeks. How can I know without question that what she feels for me is real and not a byproduct of being ignored by that fucking asshole?” I dragged a hand through my damp hair. “And then there are those people—though people seems like too generous a word. They lied, manipulated her, set her up, humiliated her for some fucking ratings. For money. Those people are predators, and despite that, she lied to them, told them I meant nothing to her. Because despite it all, she cares enough about what they think to throw me under the bus the second she was under fire. I don’t want that life, Luke. I won’t be a part of that, no matter how much I love her.”

The word visibly jolted Luke, but I was still as stone on the outside. Inside, I split open like the earth in a quake.

He folded his arms, schooled his face. “She lied, which on its own is one of your cardinal sins. But that lie pressed your deepest bruise, your favorite lie—that you’re just a dumb gardener and good for nothing but a lay.”

“You might think it’s not a lie, but they believe it. The way they talk about me, like my profession offends them. As if who I am is so far beneath them, it doesn’t even warrant a second look. I’m as good as a hot bartender or UPS guy—disposable. Luke, I can’t even be fucking mad about it. I told her I was disposable then expected something different. It’s on me, not her.”

“Whatever happened to not giving up without a fight?”

“Believe me—if I thought there was a chance I could win, I would.”

“Since when do you only fight wars you know you’ll win?”

“Since today, I guess,” I snapped, turning on my heel for the pile.

He didn’t argue, just sighed.

“Oh, don’t give me that,” I muttered, hastily grabbing a bag.