Page 85 of Hearts Storm

Pulling me into a tight hug, her lavender scent, familiar and comforting, envelops me. “Two weeks, Logan. Two whole weeks without so much as a phone call.” She pulls back, brown eyes narrowing. “I was starting to think you’d forgotten where we live.”

“Sorry. Life has been kinda crazy lately,” I reply as I follow her inside.

“Crazy, huh?” Her tone makes it clear she isn’t buying my excuse for a second. “Does this have anything to do with that new EMT of yours?”

I freeze mid-step. “What?”

How the hell? I know my mom pays attention, but...

She chuckles, waving a dismissive hand as she leads me into the kitchen. “Lizzy told me. You know how your sister is.”

Of course. My twin can never keep her mouth shut for shit. Especially when it comes to my personal life.

A pot of red sauce boils on the stove, along with a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies cooling on the counter.

“Come on, sweetie. Sit,” she orders, pointing at one of the stools at the island. “Let’s talk and eat.”

I grab a cookie—still warm and gooey in the middle—just how I like them. “Where’s Dad?”

“Fishing. Won’t be back until dinner.” She leans against the counter, crossing her arms. “So we have plenty of time for you to tell me what’s going on with this Reyna girl.”

I choke on my cookie. “Ma⁠—”

“Don’t you ‘Ma’ me.” She fixes me with a look. The same one that’s seen through every lie I’ve ever told since I can remember. “Lizzy says she’s beautiful, smart, and how stupid you are over her despite your best efforts to pretend otherwise.”

I take another bite, trying to buy time.

“Alright, fine.” Setting the cookie down, I brush the crumbs off my fingers. “I crossed a line, Ma. A big one.”

She tilts her head, waiting patiently.

“I kissed her. I went to her house to check on her this morning, and I just... couldn’t help myself.”

My mom’s expression softens, but she doesn’t say anything. She just waits.

“And that’s not even the worst part.” I scrub both hands down my face, stubble scratching against my palms. “She has a twin sister, Ma. Had. Rebecca. She drowned when they were ten.”

Her hand flies to her chest, eyes going glassy. “Oh, no. Poor girl.”

“Reyna had a nightmare.” My throat tightens, and I have to swallow hard before I can continue. “She told me her dad got drunk and passed out. Her sister got a cramp and went under. Even after all this time, she still feels guilty she couldn’t save her sister.”

“Logan...”

“She’s got a twin, Ma. Just like me and Lizzy. And she lost her. Can you imagine? Losing Lizzy like that?” The thought alone makes my stomach bottom out. “Now… we have this special thing in common and…” I shove my face into my hands. “It’s messing me up even more over her. More than I already was.”

Ma pulls up the stool next to mine, close enough that I can feel her warmth, and waits.

“I watched her break down, and something inside me just... broke.” I drop my hands. “I haven’t let myself be vulnerable like that in years. Not since⁠—”

“Not since that cunt you dated in college,” Mom finishes as she gets up to pour me and herself a glass of tea.

Her choice of words makes me snort out a laugh and shake my head.

Know you know where my sister gets her sass.

“Yeah.”

“Lizzy mentioned something about Brex…”