Chapter 147. Hopeless

I turn away and motion for Colton to come to me, to give them space, and he sighs before getting up like an obedient puppy dog.

“I don’t like you.” Carmen pouts at my brother, but her venom has subsided quicker than the speed of light. Her voice is softer, her gaze is no longer amber, and her posture is deflated.

“That’s progress. It was ‘I hate you’ a week ago. I see that as a positive step.” Jasper leans closer to bridge the height difference and properly slides his arms around her, pulling her into him in a hug even though she doesn’t return it. She struggles a little, but nowhere near the venom she had a few minutes ago, and I can see her caving now he’s touching her.

I remember how that went when the bond was so strong that a mere touch could mess with your mood and head and weaken your strongest resolve. Meadow aimed for that when she tossed her over like a wet rag.

Carmen doesn’t want to reject him. She’s doing what she does and pushing people away, be