“Whoa, whoa,” Lo says, prying the weapon from Ryke’s hand.
“I need to hit something,” Ryke says, restless.
“Just sit down.”
“I can’t!” Ryke screams. “My mother fucking ruined your life! None of this would have happened if it weren’t for?—”
And then Lo pulls him to his chest, for a hug. Ryke hesitates for a second, and I wonder if he’s going to release his aggression on Lo by punching him. Instead, he fists the back of Lo’s shirt, and they stay like that, with Ryke choking, with his body vibrating in agony and guilt, and Lo clutching tightly, not letting go.
“It’s not your fault,” Lo says, holding onto his older brother.
Many months ago, the roles were reversed. Lo would have never been strong enough to be a support for someone else, especially someone that hardly ever breaks down.
I wipe a few silent tears. I know the kind of remorse that puts deep pain on your chest, the kind that feels as weighted as Atlas bearing the world. It’s soul-crushing.
“Listen to me,” Lo breathes in his ear. “Meeting you was the best thing that’s ever happened to us. I’m sober and Lily’s in recovery. None of that would have been possible if it wasn’t for you.” He shakes Ryke, and a tear slips out of Lo’s eye. “You are the fucking reason I’m with the girl I love;you’re mybrother, so don’t you ever feel guilty for what’s happened now. That’s not on you.” He holds up Ryke’s face to look him in the eyes. “Hey, you hear me?”
Ryke nods over and over, trying to believe the words. After a long pause, Ryke says in a strained voice, “Our parents spent so much time hating each other that they didn’t even fucking realize what they were doing to us.” He shakes his head in a daze.
Lo squeezes his shoulder.
I stay quiet, not wanting to disturb them, but I’m thankful that through all of this, they both have each other. Sara and Jonathan have unconsciously drawn their sons together.
Ryke stares at the boxes. “I’m never coming back here.”
“Are you sure?” Lo asks.
“Yeah,” Ryke nods. He pats Lo’s back. “Yeah, I’m sure.” And through the silence, I hear the words that pass between them.
You’re my family.
I think we can finally move on.
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
LOREN HALE
My father didn’t tellme that Sara Hale was the leak to protect himself. Or me.
He was protecting Ryke.
While the news has devastated Ryke, I am freed by it. I can stop being so rooted in hate. Now I can try to be a better man than my father. I can breathe.
My fist raps a black door. No one stands beside me. No one’s here for me to lean on. I am alone with my own resolve, and maybe months ago that wouldn’t have been enough.
The door flies open and almost swings right back in my face. I brace the frame with a hand. “Hear me out,” I tell him.
Aaron Wells lets out an exasperated sigh, but he surrenders to my plea. “What do you want, Loren? I thought we already had this talk four months ago?” It’s been that long?
“This is a different talk.”
His eyes darken and he crosses his arms over his chest. “You’re not coming inside this time, and just so you know Julie isn’t home. So don’t try screaming for her either.”
“I don’t want to talk to Julie.”
“Then what do you want?”What do I want?Why do people always ask me that?
“You met me at a really bad time in my life, and you were just being nice by inviting me to your party.”
