“By talking to her for ten minutes with Mom. Obviously.”
“Obviously.”
“I’m a fast learner.”
“I like that she’s giving you some ideas to chew on. You’ve been stuck for a while now, so it’s good to have someone like that shake things up a bit.”
Closing my eyes, I tilt up my face to the sun. My pulse thumps. Tate and I have always been close, and I’ve confided in him plenty over the course of our lives. But this secret is a big one.
And yeah, maybe part of me is scared to say out loud how I really feel about Ryder. Because if—when—Ryder turns me down again, Tate will know about that rejection too.
I don’t want to be the type of girl who pines after guys who don’t return her feelings. That’s just embarrassing for everybody. Tate would mean well by showing sympathy, but I’m pretty sure I’d process that as pity.
I don’t need his pity or anybody else’s.
Only, I can’t keep this inside anymore.
Talk about shaking things up.
“Tate, I slept with Ryder.”
To my brother’s credit, he doesn’t so much as blink. He just continues to ride beside me in thoughtful silence, squinting against the sun. It’s gotten warm—downright hot, actually—despite the fact that we’re nearly halfway through October.
The stuff inside my torso swells. Tate sure as hell ain’t perfect, but he’s a good brother. He’s never judged me. He may be the baby of the family, but he’s the wisest of all my brothers.
“I also think I’m falling in love with him.”
“Okay.”
I laugh nervously. “Oh, sweet Tate, we both know it’s not okay.”
“Why?”
“He’s not in love with me. Obviously.”
Tate looks at me. “Now that doesn’t seem quite so obvious to me. Didn’t we just spend a good chunk of dinner the other night talking about how he was the first to reach you in the arena after you fell?”
“Well, yeah?—”
“He was always kind to you when we were kids. We used to tease him about having a soft spot for you.”
Aw, now I’m feeling all soft inside.
I also feel like I’m going to cry.
“I don’t think he will. You know, consider a relationship.”
“Because you were brave and told him how you felt. Aw, Billie. I’m proud of you.”
Sniffling, I wipe my nose on my sleeve. “How’d you know that’s what happened?”
“Because I know you.”
“And you don’t hate me for crushing on Colt’s BFF?”
Tate chuckles. “Why would I hate you for that?”
“Do you think Colt will hate me? Hate us?” I swallow. “I told Ryder I didn’t want to tell him.”
