Savior Complex: A Small Town Love Triangle Romance

“Now you know why I can’t stand her. She’s always been a selfish bitch, and I can’t believe I was lulled into actually believing she’s a decent human being.”

“What part, exactly, is selfish about her reaction?” I’ve been refraining from saying anything during Jordy’s tirade, but I’ve had enough. “Was it the part where you sold off all her belongings? Or the part where you took away the things that mattered to her most?”

“Whose side are you on?” Jordy asks. “That house belonged to both of our grandmother.”

“But now it belongs to Nina. Don’t you think you should have included her in any decisions regarding the house?”

“Brayden, you saw that place. It was a pit. She didn’t change a thing. If Nanna Dot gave that house to me, the first thing I would have done was to hire an estate planner and get rid of all that old crap.”

“But she didn’t give it to you. She gave it to Nina.”

“Yeah, but—”

“Not only that, but that house has been Nina’s home for years before your grandmother died. Did you even consider the emotional ties she has to that place and the things in it?”

“That’s beside the point.”

“That’s the whole point!”

We pull into the ranch, and I haven’t even put the car into park before Jordy’s door is open and she’s leaping out. I stomp my foot on the brake and throw it into park before hauling myself out after her.

“Are you trying to get yourself killed?” I slam my door shut and stride over to where she is.

“That would probably solve all your problems, wouldn’t it?”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” I ask. I’m fuming hot from her words, just knowing she’s aware of how they’ll hit. “You mean like my problems were solved when my sister was killed?” I ask. She flinches, but I’m not done. “How about when our child died. All my problems were solved then too?”

“It got me to marry you, didn’t it?” She glares at me.

“Like I said,” I mutter.

She looks closely at me, and I regret my words immediately. I see a flash of hurt cross her eyes, then it’s gone.

“Jesus, Brayden, you were going five miles an hour. I wasn’t going to die.”

“No, you’re just being reckless because you don’t like when I disagree with you. But Jordy, we’re not always going to be on the same page.”

“I know that,” she huffs. “But this is my family, not yours.”

I flex my hand, gritting my teeth against the statement, saying nothing. I made my choice—rather, the choice was made for me. Jordy has more of a claim over a relationship with Nina than I do, even though she still feels like mine.

“I’m not staying here tonight,” Jordy says, snatching her keys from my hands. “I need time to think, and I can’t do it here.”

“Don’t be stupid,” I say. “The cabins are open for another night, and you’re more than welcome to stay. I’ll even leave you alone.”

“It would be stupid to stay when no one even wants me here.”

This is so typical Jordy. Going to extremes so I can beg her to stay. I always know what she’s doing, and yet I fall into this trap every time. But not this time.

“Fine.” I open the trunk and grab my suitcase. “Drive safe.”

She makes a noise of surprise, but I am already walking toward the house. I hear her slam the door and then the gravel flying under the tires as she peels down the dirt road.

I take the steps two at a time, then burst through the door, flinging my suitcase against the wall. It leaves a scuff mark in its wake, one I know I’ll be buffing out once I’ve cooled down.

“Brayden, what’s gotten into you?”

My mother stands in the doorway, her hand on her hip as her eyes sweep over the damage.