My sister was silent for what felt like an age.
And then she huffed out, “I love you, but you’re an absolute moron sometimes.”
“I do adore our talks.”
She ignored my sarcasm. “I want to reach down the phone and shake some sense into you.”
“I—”
“No. It’s time for some truths. You have never been this way about a woman. Ever. I knew from the moment you signed up to a psych experiment to win back her friendship that she was different and then when I saw you together, do you know what I thought?” She didn’t give me time to reply. “I thought, oh my God, he’s in love with this girl and doesn’t even realize it.”
That ache in my chest intensified.
“And before you argue, can I ask if you’ve showered, eaten, or slept in the last month?”
“I—”
“It’s called heartbreak. Depression brought on by heartbreak. Because you love her and you’re too stubborn to get over it and be with her!”
I glared sullenly at my painting.
“Sebastian?”
“Oh, am I allowed to talk?”
“Sorry. You just exasperate me sometimes.”
My mind threw back to the night Lily had spent in my bed. When she’d accused me of punishing myself over Lawrence. I didn’t know if she was right.
But I did know I didn’t deserve Lily.
“How’s Leona?” I changed the subject.
“Happy now that Mumsy and Pa know about her.”
Shit, I was a terrible brother. “Yeah, how have they been about that?”
“Thank you for asking,” she replied dryly. “They’re fine. Too caught up in their own drama to be overly in my face about it. A bit like you. You know Pa moved back in, yes?”
My pulse leapt. “What? No. When?”
“While you were stewing in your pit of denial, our parents called me two nights ago to let me know Pa moved back in and they’re seeing a couple’s therapist.”
“Shit.” I pulled my phone from my ear to check my call list. Sure enough, there were two missed video calls from my parents a few days ago. “I’ll call them back. That’s great news.”
“Yes, and when you’re not nursing a broken heart, brother, you’ll actually mean that.”
“I mean it now.”
“You don’t mean anything now.”
“Juno—”
“Go home, shower, eat something, and let your friends know you’re alive. Blokes are stupid about this stuff, but beneath Harry’s devil-may-care attitude, I can tell he’s worried about you. Go fix that. He can be a wanker sometimes, but I’ll forgive it because he treats you like a brother.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
LILY
