Oh my God.
“Yes! That bastard—” Viviana starts, but I step forward fast.
“No! No, no, no!” I wave my hands frantically in front of them. She crosses her arms, unimpressed, while Declan just stands there frozen.
I rush to the door, peek into the hallway to make sure Connor and Kian aren’t about to make a surprise guest appearance in the most awkward conversation of my entire life.
I close the door and take a deep breath.
“I swear you’re blowing this out of proportion,” I say quickly. Viviana’s about to yell, but I cut her off, turning toward Declan, who’s visibly calmer now that he knows it involves Flynn.
“I’m a virgin.”
He freezes, staring at me, and my skin burns with embarrassment. I’m a goddam adult woman, yet I feel fifteen again, like I’m telling my parents a boy spent the night in my room.
“Not anymore,” Viviana chuckles, though there’s no humour in her tone.
“It was my choice, Vi.” I repeat it, hoping she understands.
“Flynn—” Declan murmurs, eyes narrowing. “He—you?”
My hand flies to my forehead. “Yes,” I whisper.
“Fuck,” Declan mutters, then lets out a short, disbelieving laugh. “The fucker actually—” He stops mid-sentence, staring at me again.
“He actually what?” Viviana snaps, stepping closer to him, hands on her waist. Declan might be huge, but right now she looks ready to rip his throat out.
“Nothing.” He stops, then turns to me so fast I flinch. “Did he know?”
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I can’t answer. My throat closes, my eyes drop to the floor.
“Autumn?” he presses, voice sharper now.
“Oh fuck, Autumn, you didn’t tell him?” Viviana runs her hands through her hair, pacing the room.
“I—” I swallow hard.Well, if I had, he wouldn’t have done it, so…“I didn’t have the chance. It all happened so fast.”
“Fast?” Viviana stops, eyes wide. “Did it happen at the charity last night?”
I just nod.
“Oh my—” She turns to Declan. “You said Flynn wasn’t going.”
Declan opens his mouth, then shuts it again, which only pisses her off more.
“He called me last minute,” he says finally. “Said he was going.” His gaze lands on me, quieter now. “So Flynn has no idea what he did, does he?” His voice is calm, almost gentle.
“No.” My voice comes out small. My hands fidget with the sleeves of my sweater.
“You need to tell him.” Declan steps closer, tilting my chin up with his finger until I meet his eyes. “He needs to know, Autumn. Flynn deserves to know.”
“I can’t.” The words break as a tear slips down my cheek. “I did this for me. If I tell him, it’ll take on another meaning. He’ll feel forced to pretend.”
Declan steps back, and I glance between them.
“Autumn.” Viviana’s voice softens as she comes closer and pulls me into her arms.
