Chapter 43

“No, no, Jayden, you have it wrong. I wasn’t trying to make Eli jealous. I wouldn’t hurt him like that. And I wouldn’t use you that way, either,” Chogan says in a rush.

“Then why did you kiss me?” Jayden asks. He wants to leave, but he feels frozen to the spot. He wants to know why, has since it happened.

“I’ll be honest. I didn’t think too much before I acted. I did it because I wanted to, because I’ve wanted to kiss you since you showed up to get Eli. I know that sounds kind of messed up. Yes, I’m with Eli, but I had to kiss you. I couldn’t not.” Chogan sounds frustrated, and Jayden watches as Eli puts a hand on his knee and runs the other through Chogan’s long dark hair

“I have to go.” Seeing them so intimate, so comfortable together, seems like he’s invading their privacy, as if he shouldn’t see them like this.

“Please don’t,” Elijah says softly.