When I was so determined to spend time with Dad and Aiden that I stole one of the family cars at fourteen andcrashed their special time together. Crashed the car too, and Aiden pretended it was his fault.
When I was fifteen and got sent to boarding school.
When I was sixteen and got kicked out.
Don’t be selfish, Tristan.
Sienna is frowning.
“What happened? Last time we talked about this, you were all—I don’t care. A business arrangement is what I need. I don’t want love.”
I feel my face heat, but I don’t say anything. Sienna is way too observant and as persistent as I am.
“Tristan.”
The whole family seems to lean forward.
“What did you do?”
I shove a forkful of egg soufflé into my mouth, then whimper at how hot it is. Sienna must have no taste receptors left on her tongue.
Her eyes are narrowed. “You don’t want a business arrangement anymore.”
Whit lets out a laugh. “You want love.”
“I don’t,” I rush to say.I might.I scrub the back of my neck. “Fine. The thought crossed my mind.”
How embarrassing. I spent my whole life avoiding emotional entanglements, only to want one with the one person who I’m not sure likes me back. Who I’m not sure I can make happy. Who I care about too much to hurt.
I am a fool.
I take a long inhale. “I’ve been hooking up with Katie.”
There’s a long, tense moment of silence, then Sienna laughs and the tension breaks.
“We know, dummy. The whole world saw it.” Her eyes are sparkling.
“More than once.”
Sienna’s smile grows. “I figured.” Whit looks like he predicted this months ago and bet on the results. Aiden is typically unreadable.
“Stop looking like that,” I say irritably. “I don’t like this.” I gesture toward my family. “This is my job. I’m the one who knows things. I do the scheming. This is—uncomfortable.”
Aiden solemnly passes me a glass of water. Sienna pats my knee.
Whit barks a laugh on the video chat.
“So you want Katie?” My sister’s eyes are fever bright.
My heart seizes in my chest. “I do.” My voice is thick.
“Finally,” Sienna says, flopping back against the couch. “Finally.”
“What do you mean finally?” I slide her an annoyed look. She’s smiling at the ceiling, with her eyes shut.
“Just that you’re meant to be with her and it’s incredibly obvious to everyone,” Whit says smugly.
I glance at Aiden, who nods. His eyes are warm. “I thought I saw this coming. I can get behind this.”
