“I’m sorry,” I say, voice hoarse with raw emotion. “I didn’t know you felt that way.”
A timid smile flickers across his face. “That’s on me. I never told you how much I look up to you. I always have.”
I bite the inside of my cheek. “Honestly, I wish I was more like you. You’re just… so sure of yourself. I’ve never been confident—especially after Travis.”
Landon’s teeth grind. “I’m going to fucking kill him.”
I let out a nervous laugh. “Please don’t. I don’t want revenge. I just want it behind me. I’ve moved on.”
His shoulders sag. “Fine. I won’t beat him up, but I am going to give him an earful before I block his number and delete him from my life.”
A small smile curls on my lips. “Thanks, Landon.”
“Don’t thank me,” he sighs. “This is long overdue. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you.”
“It’s okay.”
He shakes his head firmly. “No, it’s not, but I’ll make it up to you. I don’t want to lose you, Hunt.”
I reach across the table and squeeze his hand. “You won’t. We’re brothers.”
A single tear slips and trails down his cheek. The sight makes my chest ache. I’ve never seen my brother cry—not even when we put down our childhood dog. He always kept his composure and tried to be the tough, strong, unshakable twin.
He jerks his hand back to wipe his eyes, sniffling. “God, I’m a mess. Sorry. I’ve just… really missed you.”
“Don’t be sorry. I’ve missed you too.”
He lets out a shaky laugh. “Feels like we’ve got so much to catch up on. Like, Mom and Dad told me you’re dating Mason now? Like, officially?”
My chest warms at the sound of his name. “Yeah, we are.”
A coy smile tugs on his lips. “Can’t say I’m surprised. At our birthday party, I could tell you really liked him,” he says gently. “So, you guys are doing long-distance?”
“For now, but he’s moving back to Shelby Harbor next year to finish his degree.”
He purses his lips. “What about his little sister? Doesn’t he take care of her with his mom?”
The thought of Anna makes my stomach twist. Mason has been working through his grief, untangling the complicated feelings he had about his mom with the help of a therapist—kindly paid for by Stephen, for both him and Maddie.
During a recent phone call, Mason told me his therapist helped him realize it’s possible to feel two emotions at once: he can resent Anna for the times she wasn’t a good mother while still feeling sympathy for her mental health struggles. No matter what, he loved her—flaws and all.
“Actually,” I sigh, “his mom passed away a few weeks ago. His dad will have full custody of his sister.”
Surprise spreads across Landon’s face. “Oh… shit. I’m sorry, bro. That’s heavy.”
I nod, twirling my coffee cup. “It’s been rough, but Mason’s strong. He’s been through a lot.”
His eyes lock on mine, sharp and protective. “He treats you well, right? If he hurts you, I’ll—”
“You don’t have to worry about him,” I interrupt. “Mason’s a total sweetheart. I… love him. A lot.”
Landon’s expression softens, the edge of worry melting away. “I’m happy for you, bro. Maybe we can do a double date sometime with Kara and me.”
My heart swells. “I’d really like that.”
We sit for a moment, the quiet between us no longer heavy, but tranquil, the calm after a storm.
When we finally stand to leave, he pulls me into a hug. It’s familiar and warm, the kind of embrace that makes it hard to let go. For a second, I don’t. And when we do separate, something feels different—lighter.
