“Over the years, I had to cover myself in a shell of icy perfection. My power is in maintaining the illusion that nothing can get to me, and I accept that as part of doing business. But some days? Some days, I want to crumble. I want…comfort, touch, release.”

4.5⭐️ brenna was my fav from the beginning and rye was intriguing character. their story didn’t dissapoint.

such a two strong, complex, selfless characters who founded peace within eachother. home. safe space.

“I gave voice to my problem, sent it out into the night, and, in doing so, I allowed it more strength.”

“She’s glaring hate fire up at me, which I know is a defensive measure. When it comes to the two of us, we both come out swinging, so very eager to hide any hint of weakness.”

“But she’s also a major part of my life. For better or worse, we’ve been in each other’s pockets since we were headstrong teens.”

“And then he blushed. A soft wash of red across the tops of his cheeks and along the curve of his ears. Which is the moment I truly fell for Rye Peterson, the hot, muscled man-boy who blushed just as easily as I did.”

“It takes me a good minute of intense silence to fully process that Rye has admitted he’s lonely. He’s never shown me any hint of personal weakness. I haven’t either. To expose our underbellies is to open ourselves to taunts. It’s just how we are with each other.”

“He knows this is about Brenna. I know this because we can both read each other like a billboard.” - i was kinda sad we didn’t get whip’s story

“I didn’t lose him, but it was close. Too close. It shattered something in me. I hate that I can’t control this.”

“How the fuck…?” “Because I know you,” he says softly, firmly. “And what do you get out of all of this?” “You.” His fingers stroke my braid. “I get you.”

“His lips come within a hairsbreadth of touching mine when a laugh bursts out of me. He pulls back as I dissolve into a helpless ball of nervous, snorting giggles.” - this was so cute

DNF

I couldn't connect to the characters.