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“That’s not how a family works, guys,” she presses. “We need to confide in one another, help one another through good and bad times.”
“You’re helping us see that, Aspen,” Pike says softly. “But it’s hard to trust again.”
Her brow furrows, and I tense, shaking my head as I catch Pike’s eye. He pales as he realizes what he’s said.
“Again? Do you mean after Maddy?” she asks, confused.
“Yes—” Pike mutters, looking away, but Aspen’s eyes become slits.
“You’re lying to me!” she cries indignantly. “Why?”
“No,” Caden interrupts. “It’s time to tell her the truth, you two. Stop this.”
Aspen sinks back, her complexion waning as she looks around at our faces.
“Caden—” I say, but he stops me.
“She deserves to know,” he insists. “It’s only fair. She’s been completely open and honest with us. She’s been the glue holding us together, and she’s not Alexandra.”
Aspen’s eyes pop. “Alexandra?” she whispers. “What about Alexandra?”
Again, we share a look, but I don’t stop Caden as he exposes the secret we have tried to keep hidden from Aspen for all these months. He’s right; it’s the only way to move forward.
CHAPTER 30
Aspen
The wind knocks out of me, a distinct ringing in my ears as Caden leans forward on the couch to reach for my hands. They’re already trembling as I expect what he’s about to say.
Oh, why didn’t I see it? It all makes sense now…
“Ryker and Alexandra… they were very close to us,” Caden explains gently. “Just like you’re close to us.”
Sweat forms at my brow, but Caden holds fast to my hands as the others move closer.
“We cared for Alexandra,” Pike pipes in. “But Ryker loved her, and he didn’t want to share her anymore.”
I inhale sharply. “You were okay with that?” I ask coldly, trying to imagine any of the three simply allowing me to leave with one. They all appear perplexed by my question.
“Of course,” Flint replies. “They were in love. It was what Alexandra wanted. They were our friends, our family.”
Baffled, I look at all their faces, but I can see no lie on any of them.
“It hurt,” Caden jumps in. “We thought we had something special going with Alexandra. But ultimately, it was their decision, and we wouldn’t stand in their way.”
Again, I scan their faces, trying to imagine which one of them I would choose if I had to. I shake my head. “I couldn’t do it,” I mumble. “Choose between you.”
“You never met Ryker,” I joke. “He was a remarkable guy.”
“The best of us,” Caden agrees, but I find it hard to believe that anyone was better than the three men before me, even with all their flaws.
“That’s why they entrusted us with Lily,” Caden continues. “Because we’re more than just old school friends. We have shared a deeper connection.”
I think of Zoe subtly telling me she has been down this road before and all three of their attachment issues. There were signs, but I willfully ignored them.
A fusion of hurt and sorrow twines in my gut. “Why didn’t you just tell me before?” I ask. “You can tell me anything!”
“We didn’t want to scare you off,” he tells me, stroking my hair gently.
