First, Paul’s comment about his cousin’s friend had been wholly unnecessary. In theory, the past didn’t matter. But that didn’t mean I liked being slapped in the face with it—particularly when I had just slept with him and was feeling extra vulnerable as a result. It wasn’t that I judged Chase’s past; it was that I was scared of becoming part of it.

Then there was this girl who was supposedly all over him recently. What was that about? When was the last time Chase had even been at O’Connor’s? Had he lied to me about where he was one night?

It was like being shot twice with one bullet.

Then again, Paul could be lying. Especially about the second part.

“Huh,” I said. “Sounds like a misunderstanding.” I tried to keep my voice steady, expression neutral.

“Doubtful.” Paul smirked. “She was sitting in his lap.”

Oh, so he had corroborating details. A sickening sense of déjà vu crashed over me. With Luke, I always heard it from someone else, always long after the fact, always with specifics to back it up. And he’d always deny it.

But Chase wasn’t Luke. He was nothing like Luke.

At least, that’s what I thought.

“I don’t believe that.” Shoving my laptop into my bag, I intentionally avoided Paul’s prying gaze. I drew in a breath, trying to slow my speeding pulse.

Triggered would be putting it mildly. He’d hit me right where it hurt, like a sucker punch to the heart.

Paul shrugged. “Go ask my cousin. Tell her I sent you. Why would I lie? I might think Carter is an asshole, but I have no issue with you.”

“Right.” I zipped up my black leather shoulder bag, meeting his gaze evenly. Barely concealed triumph was etched in every line on his face. “I’m sure you’re looking out for my best interests.”

“Just thought you should know.”

“That’s cute,” I said. “You were always more than happy to cover for Luke. Now you’re pretending to be Mr. Honesty and Transparency?”

Paul had lied and provided alibis for Luke countless times. Of course, I hadn’t known until Mendez got wasted last New Year’s and basically confessed to being part of a three-person conspiracy that excluded my brother. But I never sold Mendez out, which meant I knew more than Paul or Luke even realized.

I knew more than Amelia did too—but people liked to shoot the messenger, and I didn’t want to take that bullet. She preferred to exist in a state of intentional ignorance, anyway.

As for taking Luke back after that, I obviously had poor judgment. Maybe I still did.

Had I made the same mistake twice?