I let her walk away thinking she was a mistake—mymistake.
She’s right.
It’s not about what I tell her, it’s about what I do next, and about standing tall, even if it costs me everything. Even if she never forgives me.
She’s worth that. She’s worthallof it.
I jog forward and rip open the door that just fell shut without knocking, and Alaina spins around with wide eyes, caught mid-step.
“What are you—” she starts, but I don’t let her finish.
I grab her good hand and pull her toward me. Her mouth opens,a soft gasp slipping out, but I see the tear first, trailing hot and lonely down her cheek.
My thumb catches it, then my lips follow, pressing against her skin. “I’m going to fix this, baby girl.”
She jerks back, eyes blazing. “What the hell are you?—”
But I’m already moving, striding into the kitchen, my heart a fucking war drum in my chest. Luc’s mom startles, Piper and Fisher freeze, and Luc stiffens.
Dane turns from the table, frowning as soon as he sees me. “You guys fixed your stuff?”
I look him in the face. My best friend, my brother in everything but blood, and I tear our friendship into shreds.
“I’m in love with your little sister.”
Silence falls like a damn avalanche. In my peripheral vision, I see Alaina shift closer to Luc, almost like she’s bracing for impact, but I keep looking at Dane.
He rises slowly, and every inch of him radiates disbelief. “What the fuck did you just say?”
No turning back now, Finn.
“I love her.” The words leave my mouth as I turn to find her caramel eyes. Alaina’s lips part on a gasp, and one hand lifts to her mouth, fingers trembling. Then I look back at Dane. “And I’m not sorry for it.”
My voice doesn’t shake, even if everything inside me is burning.
A vein throbs at Dane’s forehead, the one that always used to do that when he was on the phone with his father.Ah, fuck.
“She kissed me the night you asked me to follow her, and I kissed her back. It changed my life, Dane. I fell for her that night.”
“Mon Dieu,”Élise mutters somewhere behind me.
Dane’s jaw clenches. “She’s the girl you were talking about?”
“Yeah,” I admit, having no excuses left in me.
He takes a step toward me, fury radiating off him, but I lift my hand.
“I’m not done yet.”
“Jesus,”Fisher mutters under his breath, but Piper’s sharp “Shut up” slices through the tension.
“I kissed her again at Luc’s birthday. That night we all went out.”
Dane’s face twists. “She’s my little sister! You’reten yearsolder, what the hell were you thinking?”
“It gets worse.”
“Finn…” Alaina’s voice is cautious, like she’s only just realized how far I’m willing to go, but I’m past the point of no return.
