Justin gives a small, encouraging smile. “Fuck ’em, Ash. You don’t need them. We’re here for you.”
Tears sting my eyes, a confusing mix of sadness and relief settling in my chest. I haven’t lost all my siblings, and that’s something. But still…
My gaze drifts to Luke. Usually he can’t shut up. He’s always got something to say, some sarcastic comment or stupid joke, but now he’s uncharacteristically silent. He’s standing at the foot of my bed, arms crossed tightly over his chest. His shoulders are rigid, lips pressed into a thin line. His eyes are cold.
“Luke,” I say, my voice cracking despite my best effort to hold it steady. “I’m… sorry.”
His tongue slides slowly across his teeth. “Sorry for what?”
My eyes squeeze shut as guilt slams through me. Luke must feel completely betrayed, knowing I kept something this big from him, that I basically lied to him my whole life. Growing up, we were inseparable. There was no Ashton without Luke, and no Luke without Ashton.
But now… maybe I ruined that.
Troy’s hand squeezes mine again. “We’ll give you two some time to talk. Alone.”
He glances toward the others, and they seem to understand immediately. Chloe gives me a gentle smile before stepping back. Justin nods at me, his expression encouraging. Olivia hesitates the longest. She looks between Luke and me, worry flickering across her face, before leaning down to press a quick kiss to the top of my head.
“Don’t kill each other,” she pleads.
Then she straightens and heads for the door with the others.
Troy is the last to leave. His fingers slip from mine slowly, like he’s reluctant to let go. For a moment, he just looks at me—something soft and worried in his eyes—before he finally turns and follows them out.
The door shuts with a quiet click.
Silence floods the room.
Luke doesn’t move. He’s still frozen at the end of my bed, arms crossed, staring at the floor.
I swallow hard. “Luke…”
He shifts slightly and rubs the back of his neck, but he won’t look at me.
“Luke,” I try again, blinking back the sting behind my eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. It’s just—”
“You didn’t trust me?” he interrupts, finally lifting his gaze.
I frown. “I—”
“I thought we told each other everything,” he says, his nose wrinkling. “I thought we were close, Ash. We don’t keep secrets from each other.”
I instinctively try to reach toward him, but the movement sends a sharp ripple of pain through my ribs. I flinch and sink back against the pillows with a quiet hiss.
Luke notices. His expression tightens, but he doesn’t step closer.
“I didn’t fully come to terms with it myself until recently,” I say quietly. “Until… Troy.”
Luke bites the inside of his cheek. “You love him?”
I hesitate for only a second. I haven’t even said those words out loud to Troy yet, but the truth pulses through me with unshakable certainty.
“I do,” I admit.
Luke’s throat bobs. “He’s a good man,” he says softly. “You could’ve told me.”
“But—”
He curses under his breath, dragging both hands through his hair. “I said so many shitty things in front of you because I—I didn’t know.” His voice cracks. “I made jokes. Said stupid things. And the entire time I had no clue I was hurting you.”
