“Shep…”
“Shebroke up with me,” Shep hissed, then let loose with a mournful sob that made Simon’s throat clench. Glossy tears ran thick down Shep’s cheeks, and he gestured wildly at the door again, then stomped his foot and pushed a scream out through his teeth. “I tried so hard, I did everything I could, but she broke up with me, and now I’m c-crying in front of herdad!”
“Shep, I’m sorry.” Simon stood on the other side of the table nearest the wall. To get to Shep, he’d need to step past Harlow. It should have been an easy thing to do, but Simon found himself paralyzed. After their conversation, if he left the table and went to Shep, he knew there would be no going back. The decision taunted him—side with the man he loved and forge a new life for himself thousands of miles from everything he knew, or stay with the family who needed him and sacrifice his happiness to keep their tiny tribe together.
Simon looked at Harlow, whose gaze had lowered, his eyes now dull and despondent, to Shep, bedraggled from sleep and openly sobbing. Heart torn in two, Simon made his choice.
He stepped away from the table.
“It’s going to be okay,” Simon whispered to Shep as he tugged him into his arms, unsure if he was speaking to himself, or to his brother. Tears streamed down Simon’s cheeks—grief he’d never been able to express before, but that now tore itself from his soul freely.
His paint was peeling, gray chipping off piece by piece, moment by moment.
No matter what choices he made, or where life took him, the colors revealed beneath would stay bold and vibrant. In small ways, Harlow had helped him regain his soul. In exchange, he’d take his heart.
“Everything’s going to be okay,” Simon whispered. He stole one last look at Harlow to find Harlow’s gaze still lowered in defeat. There was no saving what they had—not now. Simon had to stay. “Better days are coming, I swear. All you have to do is believe.”
