My breath caught in surprise. Cam didn’t laugh. He didn’t crack a joke or deflect. He just… didn’t say anything. The silence that followed was heavier than anything else that had been said.
I could imagine it—Wren and Reed exchanging looks, watching him, waiting for the punchline that never came.
And then, in the smallest, calmest voice I have ever heard Cam use, he said. “I think so.”
I stepped back from the entryway to the kitchen before they could see me, heart pounding, mouth dry. I pressed a hand to my chest, like I could hold everything inside.
He was serious. He was really doing this. And he was doing it because he loved me. I wanted to run in and kiss him, but instead I took a deep breath and walked into the kitchen.
Three pairs of eyes turned toward me—Wren leaning against the counter by the sink with a mug in hand, Cam leaning against the fridge like he hadn’t just shattered my entire emotional foundation, and my big brother, Reed, sitting at the kitchen table with both hands wrapped around a half-empty coffee mug.
Reed stood the second he saw me.
“Hey, kid,” he said, soft and serious, already pulling me into his arms.
My brother looked more exhausted than usual, his skin starting to lose its summer tan. I think he was working on growing his beard out, and it suited him. The scruffy hair on his face was lighter than his almost black hair. His green eyes shone when he looked at me. He was warm and steady and familiar—like nothing could hurt me when I was in his hold. My chest tightened as I hugged him back. Even though we were step-siblings, Reed had always taken care of me. He was a kid himself when we moved out, but he never missed an event I was a part of. I was never late getting to school, and he was never late picking me up. The only constant in my life was my big brother.
“I’m so damn sorry about the house,” he murmured, holding me a little tighter. “I wish you had called me, Harp. I had to hear it from Wren. But I’m glad things are going to work out.”
I pulled back enough to look up at him, guilt flickering across my face. “I know. I just… I didn’t want to make it a whole thing. I didn’t want you to worry about me.”
“It is a whole thing, and Ialwaysworry about you,” he said gently. “You never have to go through anything alone.”
I nodded. I stepped out of his embrace, trying to swallow past the lump in my throat. “I haven’t been alone. I really am okay.” I shot a small glance in Cam’s direction.
Reed gave a small smile, the kind that said he didn’t quite believe me but wouldn’t push it—at least, not here.
“I’d like to talk to you. Just us,” he said, glancing briefly at Cam and Wren. “If you’ve got time.”
I looked at Cam, whose expression was unreadable, then at Wren, who just gave me the tiniest nod.
“Now’s better than ever,” I mumbled, turning back to Reed.
He nodded and motioned toward the front door. “Let’s take a walk.”
I followed him, sliding on my jacket and Vans. The autumn air was cooler than the previous day. The early afternoon light barely cut through the cloudy sky. Several of the oak trees’ leaves started changing color. Every fall, I was stunned by the beauty of Michigan. So many red, orange, and yellow leaves floated down following the breeze. We walked in silence for a few beats, fallen leaves crunching beneath our feet, before Reed let out a slow breath beside me.
“You wanna tell me what’s really going on? Cam told me something today that didn’t shock me, but I need to know what’s going on.”
We continued walking in silence for a minute. The wind tugged softly at my unzipped fleece jacket, and I was thankful I had put it on over my sweater.
I kept thinking I’d find the words. Somehow, I thought that they would come easily, like ripping off a Band-Aid. But when I looked over at Reed walking next to me, allowing time for me to get the courage to tell him what was going on, tears rushed up before I could speak.
He stopped walking and turned to face me fully.
“Hey,” he said, his voice low and gentle. “It’s okay, Harp. You don’t have to rush it. You know you can tell me anything.”
I nodded, blinking fast, trying to hold it together. “It’s Cam.”
His brow twitched, but he didn’t speak. Just waited.
“There’s… something happening between us,” I said, barely above a whisper. “This whole time I thought he hated me,” I scoffed. “But he didn’t. Apparently, he’s looked at me in a different light for years now.”
Reed’s eyes widened a bit, but he didn’t jump in to speak. Just gave me the space to figure out what I needed to say.
I started walking again. I didn’t know what to say at first, but it’s like everything just started tumbling out after that. There was no thought process, just rambling. “Do you remember the night after the bonfire on the beach at the beginning of summer last year?”
He furrowed his eyebrows. “Yes?”
