Chapter 4Breaking Their Precious Little Sister

I looked like I was about to collapse. Before I could say a word, Bennett and Jax spoke up simultaneously.

"Her leg gave out, Tinsley. She was drowning. It wasn't on purpose."

"And honestly," Jax added, his voice oddly defensive, "it’s not like there isn't touching involved in swimming. You’ve been all over Hudson all day, and Jade didn't say a word."

The silence that followed was deafening.

Tinsley’s eyes welled with real tears of shock. "Are you... are you yelling at me? For her?"

The guys looked stunned by their own words. They seemed confused as to why they were defending me. Jax immediately tried to backtrack, grabbing Tinsley’s hand. "No, no, Tinsley, I’m sorry. I didn't mean it like that. Hit me if you want, just don't be mad."

Bennett reached out to wipe a tear from her cheek. "Tinsley, don't cry."

Hudson, meanwhile, looked like he’d swallowed a lemon. "You guys are acting like she’s your girlfriend. I'm the one who’s supposed to be pissed here."

Bennett went quiet, looking guilty. Jax just blustered, "I don't want a girlfriend. I only care about Tinsley."

It took ten minutes of them groveling before Tinsley finally "forgave" them. But then she turned her gaze on me. My internal "pick-me" radar went off like a siren.

"Jade," she said, her voice dripping with artificial sadness. "I really thought we could be friends. But you’re just like the others. You came into this group just to drive a wedge between us." She sighed, looking at the boys. "I guess she’s just better at it than the other girls. This is the first time you’ve ever been mean to me because of a stranger."

She looked at me, her head tilted. "Why? We’re both girls. Why can't we just get along? Why do you have to be so... competitive?"

I watched as Bennett’s expression turned cold and distant again. Jax’s hostility returned. Hudson’s face darkened.

"Jade," Hudson said. "Did you do that on purpose?"

I had to hand it to her. She was good. She was the one constantly competing, yet she was framing me as the aggressor. No wonder these guys were single. Their "sister" was a psycho-gatekeeper.

I blinked, letting tears overflow. "I'm so sorry, Tinsley. It’s just... Hudson was so busy with you, and I was lonely. I thought we were all friends. I didn't realize I wasn't actually part of the group. I was so stupid to think I belonged."

I looked at Hudson, my lips trembling. "We should break up."

Hudson’s eyes widened. "What? No. It’s not that big a deal, Jade. I didn't say we were breaking up."

"You don't get it," I whispered, my voice thick with suppressed sobs. "Tinsley is right. She’s the priority. And she clearly doesn't want me here. Neither do Jax or Bennett. I love you, Hudson, and I don't want to make your life difficult. I’d rather lose you than make you choose."

I looked at Jax and Bennett. They looked away, shifting uncomfortably.

"When Tinsley and the guys are actually ready to accept me... maybe then. But for now, goodbye."

I turned and walked away, perfectly poised even in my exit. The moment I got back to the dorm, I blocked Hudson on everything.

I didn't see the "Core Four" again for two weeks. Not until the Greek Life Mixer.