Blake POV
He leans against the tree next to me, his eyes fixed on mine, his patience maddening. I know he won’t drop this until I spill everything, and honestly, maybe I need to.
“I told you,” I mutter, kicking at the dirt beneath my feet. “I feel replaced.”
His brow furrows, waiting for me to continue. That’s Chase—steady, dependable, always the one to let you talk when you’re ready. I hate how much I need it right now.
“By Dhalia,” I finally say, my voice quieter than I intend. “It’s like everything shifted when she showed up. Jax… he’s different with me.”
Chase’s head tilts slightly, his gaze sharp but curious. “Different how?”
I let out a humorless laugh, rubbing the back of my neck. “This morning. I was testing him, pushing his buttons like I always do, like I used to do. And in
