Chapter 16 - I'm Done Pretending

Noah's POV

The second Jacob stormed off, the world didn't feel quiet.

It felt dangerous.

Ava stood there, breathing hard, eyes glowing with something I'd never seen before—something real, something terrifying, something I'd been trying not to hope for.

When she said "I'm not telling you to stop" ... I swear my entire universe shifted.

Now she has gone inside, Jacob was gone somewhere in the neighborhood probably plotting my destruction, and I was left standing in the yard like a grenade that had already exploded.

And I wasn't even sorry.

I leaned against the fence, running a hand through my hair, trying to calm the adrenaline that was still rushing through me.

Then footsteps pounded toward me.

Jacob.

Of course.

He marched into my yard like he owned it, chest heaving, face red with anger.

"What the hell was that?" he snapped.

I didn't move. "You already know."

"No," he said, voice cracking. "Apparently, I dont. Because my best friend is acting like he's in some romance movie and my sister--MY SISTER--is looking at you like—like—"

He broke off, shaking his head.

I stayed silent.

He stepped closer. "You made her feel something."

"I didn't make her do anything," I said quietly. "Feelings happen."

"No" he growled, "not these feelings. Not between you two. This is wrong."

A muscle in my jaw twitched. "It's not wrong."

"It IS," Jacob said, louder. "You're supposed to be my brother. My family. And she's—she's—"

"A person," I cut in. "With her own mind and her own heart. You don't get to choose who she cares about."

He stiffened. "I'm trying to protect her."

"I know," I said. "And I respect that."

"Then PROVE it," Jacob spat, "Back off."

I took a deep breath.

For once, I didn't lie. Didn't apologize. Didn't shrink back into the version of myself Jacob expected.

"No," I said.

Jacob stared at me like he didn't understand English. "What?"

"No," I repeated, firmer. "I'm done pretending I don't feel anything. And I'm done acting like Ava is some rule you get to enforce."

His hands curled into fists. "She's my SISTER."

"And she's someone I care about," I said, voice steady. "A lot."

Jacob looked like I'd punched him.

"You're choosing her over me," he whispered.

That hit hard.

"No," I said softly. "I'm choosing honesty over pretending."

He scoffed. "Same thing."

"It isn't."

I stepped forward, keeping my voice low. "Jacob... I'm not trying to hurt you. I'm not trying to hurt her. I'm not trying to blow up our friendship."

"Too late," he muttered.

That one hurt.

But I didn't back down.

"This isn't your decision," I said. "It's mine. And hers. Not yours."

Jacob stared at me for a long time, jaw tight, breathing uneven.

Then he whispered, "If you break her heart, I'll destroy you."

I nodded. "I know."

"And if you touch her—"

"I won't do anything she doesn't want," I said firmly. "But I'm not pretending anymore."

We stood there in silence—two boys who grew up together, suddenly standing on opposite sides of a line we both knew was permanent.

Jacob stepped back, shaking his head like he didn't recognize me.

"Fine," he said. "Then it's on you now. Don't say I didn't warn you."

And he walked away.

Again.

Leaving me alone with the truth:

I had just chosen Ava.

And it felt terrifying. And right. And inevitable.

I sank down onto the porch steps, staring at the Collins' house, heart pounding.

No more running. No more pretending. No more lying to myself or anyone else.

I wanted her.

And after years of fighting it... I wasn't going to hide it anymore.