Page 154 of Enchanted

I laughed, remembering how Rami had told me about how he’d once flirted with Matty, not realising Seb had already made a claim. Not that the vampire had been willing to acknowledge that at the time. “He really is a fucking flirt. Even when I was with Dave, he couldn’t help himself.”

“Aw, man, you were still with him when you met?” Lucky was dismayed. “Poor Rami.”

“I know.” I ran a hand through my curls. “Believe me, I wish it hadn’t been that way.”

I started my story then. I fully admitted to how I’d invested too much of myself in my relationship, chasing my heart and dreams across an ocean. That part was easy.

Admitting why I’d cut contact completely was much harder.

“For fuck’s sake,” Riley ground out when I’d finished. “I should’ve known there was a reason. I should’ve fucking pushed.”

I reached over to touch his hand. “It wouldn’t have changed anything, Riley. I was being stubborn.”

“But we would’ve been there for you,” Matty said, confused. “I don’t understand why you wouldn’t let us.”

“Because doing that would’ve meant admitting I wasn’t happy,” I said. “I wasn’t ready to admit that, not even to myself.”

“I get it,” Lucky said suddenly, his eyes solemn. “It’s easier to pretend sometimes.”

“Okay, so we know why you left and why you stopped speaking to us,” Riley said slowly. “But when did you come back? And why didn’t you reach out then?”

I tried to find the words. God, they were already upset just finding out how unhappy I’d been in LA. How would they react to the next part?

I needed Rami. I couldn’t do this without him.

I looked over at the table to find him already striding over. He gave the others an easy grin. “Mind if I join you?”

They all nodded and Rami sat behind me, scooting forwards until my back was against his chest, his long legs on either side of me. His hands settled on my stomach, and he rested his chin on my shoulder. My breaths came a little easier.

“Before Ethan continues,” Rami said, “I want you to know that I’ve already read him the riot act over what he’s going to tell you several times. He really believed he was doing the right thing for all of you. Telling you this was the main reason he didn’t want to contact you before now. He was terrified that you’d all walk out immediately and never want to speak to him again. He still is.”

“That won’t happen,” Matty said firmly. “Now you’re back in our lives, we’re not letting you go again.”

“Agreed.” Riley nodded. “You’re not going anywhere. But I’m going to withhold any promises about not being angry until I’ve heard.”

“Oh, you’ll be angry,” Rami said mildly. “There’s no doubt about that.”

Foreboding flickered in Matty’s eyes. Beside him, Lucky scooted a little closer.

Even with Rami supporting me, I still had to swallow a few times before I could get the words out. “A few years ago, I was diagnosed with terminal cancer.”

Riley sucked in a breath while Lucky froze. Matty made an odd, strangled noise, his head turning towards the table. As with Rami, Sebastian was on the move, along with all the other mates. Ferry and Leo were on their heels. Only Ezekiel and Sam stayed where they were, both shooting me encouraging looks.

Dagon and Dimitri silently sat behind Lucky, while Sebastian sat on Matty’s other side. Meanwhile, Danny lifted Riley off the ground before sitting back down with him on his lap.

The final spaces on the rug were taken up by Ferry and Leo. Matty’s brother reached out to ruffle my curls. “It’s good to see you, Ethan.”

I found myself smiling at him. “Ditto.”

Everyone looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to continue. I did, barely pausing for breath as I described how I’d received my diagnosis. How Dave and I had packed up our lives to return to the UK. That we’d chosen London for the hospitals. “I wanted to fight. In spite of what all the doctors said, I wasn’t ready.”

“You should’ve called us,” Riley said from Danny’s lap, his voice cracking. “The second you got your diagnosis, you should’ve fucking called us.”

Rami stiffened, but I put my hand on his leg to stop him speaking. I needed his support, but I didn’t need him to fight my battles for me. “What kind of person would that have made me, Riley? I’d ghosted you all for years at that point. Hell, Matty got married and I didn’t even know.”

“I’m sorry,” Matty said through tears. “I should’ve told you.”

Sebastian was glaring at me like he was wondering if he could stab me before Rami stopped him. Knowing what I did about him now, I wouldn’t put it past him.