“I agree—although, you got sex out of it, so I don’t know why you’re complaining—but he didn’t know he was going to have to work with you. That first night was a hook-up. You even said it yourself.”
“How do you know?”
“After we left the dojo, I kept bugging him for an explanation. We just had a long talk, and he told me everything. At least, I think it’s everything.”
“Then why are you here and not him? And why did you pretend to be him when you first walked in the door?”
“Do you think I like the fact that because of me you and Law didn’t get a proper chance? Had he met you through work like he was supposed to, none of this would’ve happened. I came over to make it right, and pretending to be Law … it’s just easier if I’m not me when talking about real shit. I think the fact I didn’t immediately run away when you called me out is what my therapist would call a breakthrough.”
My eyes widen. “What would you have done if I forgave ‘Law’ and tried to kiss you? Do you and your brother think anything through?”
Anders shrugs. “I probably would’ve feigned stomach issues and ran away. I came here to make you see why you should dump that other loser—wait, is there another guy or did you break up with me because you were falling for Law?”
“Why should I give him another chance to fuck me over?” I ignore his question, because he’s right.
Anders winces. “I don’t need to know what you and my brother did in the bedroom.”
I sigh. They’re so much alike but so different.
“You should give him another chance, because he didn’t purposefully set out to hurt you. He didn’t mean to fall for you either, but he did. He’s been through so much with me—you won’t believe some of the shit he’s had to deal with—and I want to see him happy. He’s never been happier than he has this last month, apart from having to deceive you. He asked for my advice a few weeks back, and I didn’t have all the facts, so I gave him misinformed guidance, which, for some reason, he decided to take for once. I told him to keep going until the whole thing blows up in his face and then move on because I didn’t think it was possible for his heart to be broken.”
“Wow. That’s really shitty advice.”
“It’s why I’m an accountant. Give me numbers over emotional shit any day. When Law cares about someone, you don’t know the lengths this guy would go for that person. But he thinks you dumped him for another guy—”
“I didn’t. You were right. I broke up with you, because I thought it was unfair to think of Law while I was with you. Uh, him.” I rub my temples. “This is way too confusing.”
“There’s only one thing you need to know about Law. When he loves, he loves hard. The beard that Law hates?” Anders turns his head to the side. “He maintains his so he can break up with guys for me. It covers my scar.” His finger trails down his jawbone.
I can barely see it, but there’s a definite white line running through Anders’ beard. You wouldn’t see it if you weren’t specifically looking for it. “I don’t understand.”
“My ex slit my throat … well, tried to, but Law saved me.”
“How? He said he found you when you were almost dead.”
“The reason my scar only goes to here”—he points to the side of his jaw—“is because while I was being attacked, I lied. I said I was Law, and Kyle freaked out. He couldn’t tell the difference between us.”
“Even with the eyebrow piercing?”
“I only got it pierced two years ago when I started going out again.” Anders shrugs. “Quarter-life crisis. But telling Kyle I was my brother scared him enough for him to snap out of his rage. Without Law, I know for a fact I’d be dead. After the attack, it was a few years before I even wanted to leave my apartment. The only time I did was to knock on Law’s door. I had to move in with him and let him take care of me. I was a wreck for a long time. He doesn’t want to break up with guys for me, but he also doesn’t want to see me slip back into hermit mode where I don’t talk to anyone at all. It’s taken a long time, but I’m back to the guy I was before the attack … with a few quirks that tend to pop up every now and then, like when I’m set up on a blind date.”
“Panic attacks are quirks?”
“Out of everything I just said, that is what you got from it?”