"She is. We don't have to have the same blood to be siblings." I wait for a lecture.
But I really do know Cade better than that. He'll pull me up on things if I need them. But I don't know, I guess I'm a little sensitive to the touch right now, and certain words press down in the wrong way.
"Hey, man, I'm the first to agree with you. Lyndall is yoursister. But I'm not talking about her here. I'm talking about the girl you're besotted with."
"I'm not besotted."
"Float or sink your boat your way. My point is there have been a lot of lies and trust broken between you and Lola. I know this shouldn't change your relationship with either Lola or Lyndall, but Lola might...appreciate you talking to her, telling her your suspicions."
"Why the fuck would I do that? She'll worry."
He sighs. "Or she might see it as you reaching out to her, to talk something over."
Maybe...
But... But then I'll upset her.
Does Lola want to know about her father and Lyndall's mother?
I look at Cade. "You're right. If it's true, she should know. But when I know for sure. And then I have to tell Lyndall first. It's only right."
"Your life..."
I know he thinks I'll fuck it up and not tell Lola. But I will.
"After I know for sure, and after I tell Lyndall if there's anything to tell her, I'll talk to Lola."
"When you know. After you've told Lyndall. And if it's not true, are you going to share your suspicions with her then?"
"Yes."
"I see."
He doesn't. Or maybe he does. Because there's a small part of me that knows, deep inside, I wouldn't tell Lola if I didn't know or if I found out it wasn't true.
Not while things are finally getting better with me and Lola.
The last thing I need is another fucking roadblock to set me back.
Because no matter how I look at it, this sounds like I kept the truth to myself. Which I didn't.
How can I keep something to myself if I don't know what that truth is?
So, I hope it's not true. I hope I never have to tell either of them.
And Lola?
I'm going to continue to shower her with attention and make things good.
Because they are.
And I fucking want them to get even better.
Chapter Seventeen
LOLA
"Breathe,"I say to my reflection as I clutch the towel around me in the cooling bathroom. "Breathe."
