“But we also weren’t drowning.” I shove my hands in my pockets. “We had each other. We had the pack, even without her. She was alone.”
They both look at me.
“I’m not saying it’s okay. I’m not saying she was right.” I stare at the community center doors. “I’m just saying I understand it. Being so scared you can’t ask for help. Digging yourself into a hole and not knowing how to climb out.”
More silence.
Then Nate sighs. Scrubs a hand over his face.
“She won the auction,” he says. “Three dates. That’s what she paid for.”
“So we each owe her a date.” Lucas’s voice is careful. “One on one.”
“You think we should?”
“I think...” Lucas pauses. “I think we’ve spent ten years wondering. Now we know. And maybe the only way to figure out what comes next is to actually talk to her. Without all three ofus there. Without the pressure of—” He gestures vaguely at the community center. “This.”
Nate is quiet for a long moment.
“One date,” he finally says. “That’s it.”
“That’s all she’s asking,” I say.
“Fine.” He pushes off the car. “Let’s go home. I’m done.”
We pile into Lucas’s car. I end up in the back, staring out the window as the lights of the community center fade behind us.
I left her there. Crying. Alone.
It was the right thing to do. We needed to process this together, as a pack. Needed to figure out what we’re going to do without her there, watching, waiting.
But it still feels like I failed her.
The house isquiet when we get home.
Nate goes straight to his room without a word. Door closes. Silence.
Lucas lingers in the kitchen, filling a glass of water he doesn’t drink.
“She looked so small,” he says quietly. “At that table. When we left.”
“I know.”
“I almost stayed.” He sets the glass down. “When Nate got up, I almost let him go alone.”
“Why didn’t you?”
He’s quiet for a moment. “Because if I stayed, I would have forgiven her. Right there. And I’m not ready for that.”
I nod. I understand. It’s the same reason I walked away—because staying meant giving in, and we’re not there yet.
“But we will reach out,” Lucas says. “About the dates. Give her that much.”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll text her tomorrow. Set something up.” He runs a hand through his hair. “She deserves that much. After what she told us.”
“She does.”
