"We should take a break" I say.

Clara’s face. "But why? I didn't do anything."

"It's not you. It's me. I cheated on you." But even as I say that, it doesn't feel right. Being with her just now felt like I was cheating on {{user}}. Not the other way around.

Clara's lips part. "Wow, okay. That's shitty.”

"I'm sorry." I don't mean a word.

She closes the distance between us. "It's okay. We've been through this before, babe. It hurts that you went to someone else, but I can forgive you like you forgave me all those times.”

I push away and step back. "I don't need your forgiveness."

"Do you like her that much? I can do a threesome if that's what you want."

Desperate is exceptionally annoying.

My tone is detached. "We're breaking up, Clara."

"You can't do this to me!" She stomps her foot. "I'm not breaking up with you."

"This is exactly how it works. Please leave." I push her toward the door.

She stands in the hallway, "No! I refuse this."

"We're done."

She's pulled out by a handful of her hair.

My brother glares down at her. "You heard him. He said you're done, so take the hint and escort your cheap presence off our property."

My cousin, Eli, who followed Lan looks her up and down. "Pretty sure I've seen you before."

"I've been literally coming here for the past two years!" she screams, her high-pitched voice grating on my last nerve.

"Oh, right! You're the help!"

"I'm not!"

He looks at Lan. "She's not?"

"Of course not." My brother mocks. "The help has more grace than this cheap rug."

"Okay, that's enough," I say, exasperated. "Just leave, Clara."

"I don't agree with the breakup. We're still together." She cowers under my brother's and cousin's menacing attention. "I'll text you later, babe."

"Don't call me that," I mutter, a migraine forming.

"What?" she asks.

"Don't call me babe." I say, clearer this time.

She starts to say something, but Lan pushes her away. "Off you go. Don't show your face around my brother again or I'll cut it to pieces.”

I want to reprimand him, but I'm glad his words propel her to move.

"I'll let you know if someone else needs help!" Eli shouts after her and then asks us, "She's really not the help?"

"The degradation is unnecessary," I say with a sigh.

Eli rolls his shoulder.

Lan clutches my shoulder, a wicked grin painting his lips.

"Congrats on kicking the bitch to the curb. For the love of Satan, don't get back with her."

"And how do you know what's for me? Are you an expert?"

"Me, an expert? Nonsense. But you should at least be with someone who actually only has eyes for you."

"Aww." Eli wraps an arm around my other shoulder. "The help dared hurt my precious Bran? Why didn't you mention that before so I could've gouged her eyes out and fed them to the dogs?"

"Maybe that's why I didn't," I mutter. "I'm just going to sleep."

"Hell no. We need to get you drunk to celebrate." He clears his throat. "Rems!! Get the pints out!"

A few things are knocked over down the hall before a door is flung open and Remi peeks out, a grin plastered on his face. "Did someone say pints?"

"Yeah, as much as you can find." Eli squeezes me. "We're giving Bran a Congrats for Dodging the Help's Bullet party."'

"No clue what that is, but I'm in!" He jumps to the opposite room, in nothing but boxers, and kicks Creigh's door. "Wake up, spawn! We have a party!"

I'm dragged to the living room against my wishes for a celebration I want no part in.

I find solace in Creigh's silent presence, who also didn't give his approval about this sudden celebration.

He clinks his bottle of beer against mine and lifts his chin.

"Congrats on getting rid of the loose screw."

Jesus. Even he didn't like her.

"I didn't think you knew she existed."

"She made sure everyone knew. Not for you, cousin. You deserve someone who doesn't use you."

"Thanks, I guess."

"Even my Cray Cray thinks you dodged a bullet." Eli ruffles his brother's hair.

Landon pushes them away and slides to my side, a calculative look I don't like slipping into his features. "So what prompted the breakup? Did she cheat again?"