"I still want you." Jessica repeated, looking into Jayden’s eyes. "And I feel like a villain. For still wanting you."
"Don’t," he said quickly. "Don’t do that to yourself. You’re not wrong for feeling. You’re never wrong for feeling."
Jessica shook her head. "No, you don’t understand. I’m not... supposed to feel this way about you. I can’t."
"Why not?" Jayden asked softly.
Jessica hesitated. "Well, because..."
"Tasha claimed me first?" Jayden finished for her.
Jessica’s eyes widened. "How did you know?"
Jayden smiled faintly. "Tasha told me. She told me how you spoke first about liking me when we were kids, and how she had to step back. She also told me how hard it was to hide her feelings all that time."
Jessica looked devastated. "I... I didn’t know she liked you back then. I should’ve known. I really am a bad sister."
Jayden reached out, gently taking her hand. "No, you’re not."
"But I am, Jayden," she said, her voice cracking. "When you came back from rehab, Tasha told me she liked you. She asked if I was cool with it. And I said yes. I told her she could have you. That I didn’t care if she did."
She looked away, shame swimming in her eyes.
"But the truth is... I did care. I cared a lot. And that makes me feel horrible. Because she stood down for me once. And when it was her turn, I couldn’t let go."
"I kept telling myself I didn’t like you anymore, but deep down... I knew that was a lie."
She clenched her hands tighter. "So when you rejected her, I was... happy. Not because I didn’t care about her. I do. But I couldn’t stand the thought of you being with someone else. I felt like if I couldn’t have you... then no one should."
Her voice broke. "And when I walked in on both of you that night... the pain was like nothing I’ve ever felt before. It hurt so much, Jayden. I wanted to scream. I was angry. I felt betrayed. Jealous. I wanted it to be me."
"But then I realized you didn’t do anything wrong. I did. I told her I didn’t have feelings for you anymore. I told you we should just be friends. I’m so sorry. I was so stupid and selfish..." she sobbed.
Jayden moved closer, pulling her into a warm embrace. "It’s okay. You don’t have to be sorry. It’s not your fault. All these feelings... they’re normal. They’re what makes you human."
Jessica looked into his eyes. "I don’t want us to be friends, Jayden. I want us to be more. I still love you," she whispered. "And I don’t feel sorry that I do."
Silence filled the room, thick and heavy. Jayden stared at her, stunned.
Then he exhaled slowly. "I love you too, Jessica. I always did. And I always will. But..."
"I know. Tasha is your girlfriend now," she finished quietly, slipping out of his arms. "And I don’t want to be part of some twisted triangle where someone always ends up bleeding. I don’t want to be the reason your relationship with her falls apart."
"I’m sorry for putting all this on you," she added. "And for the way I treated you these past few days. It wasn’t fair."
Jayden sighed. "Jessica, Tasha isn’t exactly my girlfriend... well, she sorta is. But that doesn’t mean me and you can’t be together."
Jessica chuckled softly. "Here you go again... giving your speech about loving the both of us. Look, Jayden... I believe you. I really do. But I can’t do that to Tasha. She sacrificed for me once. So I have to do the same."
Jayden scoffed. "So that’s it? You’re just gonna forget about everything? Pretend none of this happened? Like we never happened?"
Jessica hesitated. "I... I don’t want to. But I have to. It’s the right thing to do. For Tasha."
"And what if she doesn’t care about all that ’sacrifice’ crap?" Jayden asked. "What if she’s actually cool with it? You said you feel guilty about still loving me, but what if she already knew?"
Jessica’s eyes widened. "No... she... I don’t think she’d know."
Jayden gave a knowing smile. "I think you should talk to her, Jessica. Everything you said to me today.. you need to say it to her. Because I know you love me, and I love you. But you’re scared of what she’ll think."
"You both need that conversation. Because I know in my heart that I want you both. The only question is... do you both want me?"
Jessica took a breath, thinking. Then she said softly, "I don’t know if I can face her."
Jayden stood and gently cupped her face. "You can. She’s your sister. Your best friend. She’ll understand."
Jessica nodded slowly. "Okay... I’ll try."
Jayden smiled. "Good. Now come on, I’m starving. Let’s make lunch."
He grabbed her hand and led her out of the room. They started down the stairsm... only to find Tasha just arriving home, standing by the entrance, holding the door behind her.
She blinked, clearly surprised to see them together. "Oh. Hey, guys," she greeted, moving toward the stairs.
"Hey, Tasha," Jessica said, flashing a small, sincere smile as she passed her and headed into the kitchen.
Tasha blinked. What the—? she thought, caught off guard.
Jayden approached with a casual grin. "We’re about to cook lunch. Could use an extra pair of hands."
Tasha nodded slowly. "Um... yeah, sure. Let me just freshen up."
"Alright. I’ll be expecting you," Jayden teased, kissing her cheek before heading toward the kitchen.
But Tasha gently grabbed his arm. "How did you do it?" she asked, eyes drifting to where Jessica stood by the counter, waiting.
Jayden smirked. "Why don’t you ask her yourself?" he winked.
Tasha rolled her eyes and nudged him playfully, drawing a laugh from him as he joined Jessica in the kitchen.
As Jayden walked away, Tasha turned and ascended the stairs. Her expression softened, relief slipping into her breath.
But it wasn’t because Jessica had smiled at her.
It was because of something else entirely.
"Ooof... that was close," she exhaled under her breath, replaying the last few moments before Jayden and Jessica met her by the door.
"Way too close."