"Are you insane? There are like a hundred people here."
"So take him somewhere private. You can use my room. Explain everything. Yes, he's going to be pissed. But at least you're being honest. At least you're not letting Sebastian control the narrative."
I looked across the room where Aaron was laughing withOliver, completely unaware that his world was about to implode.
"I can't," I said. "Not tonight. Not before Westpoint."
"Then when?" Max challenged. "Because this isn't going away. Sebastian's going to keep pushing until something breaks."
Before I could answer, Rosie reappeared, her makeup fixed and her smile back in place. She headed straight for her brother, probably trying to be visible and normal.
Aaron said something that made her laugh, and for a moment, they looked like any other siblings at a party. Happy. Uncomplicated.
I was about to destroy that.
"Derek." Maddox appeared at my elbow. "We need to talk. Now."
The serious tone made my stomach drop. "What's wrong?"
"Outside."
I followed him to the backyard, away from the noise and crowds. Nova was already there, her expression grim.
"What's going on?" I asked, already dreading the conversation.
"We know," Nova said simply.
"Know what?"
"About you and Rosalie." She held up her hand as I started to protest. "Don't even try to deny it. We've known for weeks. Maybe months."
My mouth went dry. "Does Aaron know?"
"No. And we haven't told him because we figured you two would eventually." Maddox crossed his arms. "But Sebastian's been very loud about it, and he's not going to keep his mouth shut. You need to get ahead of this."
"I know. We're planning to tell him after..."
"After Westpoint, yeah, we've heard that one before," Nova interrupted. "But here's the thing: Sebastian's planning to tell him tomorrow. At practice. In front of the whole team."
The world tilted. "What?"
"He was bragging about it to some guys earlier. Said he was going to 'expose the truth' during warm-ups with some very graphic pics." Nova's voice was sympathetic. "I'm sorry, Derek. But you're out of time."
I looked back at the house, where I could see Rosie through the window, smiling at something Ivy was saying. Completely unaware that in less than twenty-four hours, everything was going to explode.
"Fuck," I breathed.
"You need to tell him tonight," Maddox said. "Before Sebastian does. It's the only way."
"He's going to hate me."
"Maybe. Probably." Maddox's expression softened. "But he'll hate you more if he hears it from Sebastian. At least if it comes from you, there's a chance he'll eventually understand."
Nova touched my arm. "For what it's worth, I think you and Rosalie are good together. She's been happier these past few months than I've ever seen her. And you're different too. Less closed off."
"Aaron won't see it that way."
"No, he won't. Not at first," she said, squeezing my arm. "But he loves both of you. Eventually, he'll come around. You just have to give him time."
