It’s not just a secret. It’s a weapon now.
Every day that passes, the fallout gets worse.
Because the truth isn’t just about me.
It never was.
It’s about Jace.
It’s about Sarah.
It’s about Knox.
It’s about the baby-shaped hole everyone has built their grief around.
It’s about the lie I let grow roots because it was easier than admitting I didn’t deserve the life I was handed.
My stomach rolls.
I pick up my phone with shaking hands.
There’s a message from Griff.
Griff:You good?
I stare at it.
My brother always knows. He always knows when I’m about to do something reckless.
Something brave.
Something that will light everything on fire. I type back without thinking.
Me:I need to talk to you. Now.
His reply comes immediately.
Griff:Where are you?
Me: Brew House parking lot.
A pause. Then:
Griff: Stay there.
My pulse jumps, because Griff doesn’t say okay.
He says stay there.
Like he knows exactly what this is.
Like he knows what I’m about to do.
And he’s already running to stop me.
Griff’s truck pulls in ten minutes later, too fast, too aggressive, tires squealing slightly as he cuts the wheel and parks crooked.
Of course he does.
