Can’t Win Me Back

Jasper remained silent.

His hands balled into tight fists at his sides, trembling ever so lightly as a dark expression settled over his face.

After amoment of silence, Justin offered a casual smile, ignoring the tension on Jasper's face as he moved past him.

"Justin, I've always respected you since I was young." Jasper's voice broke the silence, hoarse and strained, with his back turned to Justin.

“There are things I can compromise on, but some matters, I can't." Justin, his back still facing Jasper, narrowed his eyes and asked, " Such as?" "My need to see her now." A fierce determination lit Jasper's darkened eyes.

"Justin, I won't deny your feelings for her.

It's none of my business.

But you have no right to stop me from seeing her either.

"If you and Ms.

Alyssa are officially together, I'll never go near her again.

You won't even need to say a word.

I'll give you both my blessings and wish you a happy life together." As Jasper said "happy life", his throat tightened, and a bitter taste of bile rose at the back of his mouth.

Still, he continued, "But as long as she's not yours, we're equals in her eyes.

see her,

that bothers you, I'm sorry." The darkness in Justin's eyes

acold, detached voice, he asked, “Jasper, do you still have feelings for her? You haven't let go, have you?" A lump

voice grew deeper, marked by a few dry

yourself —how have I treated you since we were kids?" "You've treated me very

warmth shared with Justin, four years his

first entered the Beckett family, his life seemed bleak, as he was met

care, standing by him when the household staff mistreated him and

who had put his own life on the line to help Jasper escape that terrifying

have been the one sitting in

see, I'll be bound to this

of it too, just

I don't deserve

Alyssa.

to spend time with

humans

being overseas and away from home on my own for so many years, I often

my life is just going

companionship of

a family,

for a family?

Jasper's chest tightened.

and Justin had shared a smile in the snow -covered