“Are we talking about Kaitlyn or your family? There is a difference in how I answer this question depending on which it is,” she says, and I’m glad she’s going to give it to me straight. I told Kaitlyn a lot of the truth, but I didn’t tell her everything.
Everyone here is afraid to tell me what they’re really thinking, and I can only assume it’s because they’re worried I’ll leave again. I won’t, but I don’t want to be treated like glass. I guess it’s better than being invisible.
My silence speaks louder than any of my words possibly could in this moment because I don’t know.
“I’m gonna make a genius inference based on your lack of answer and say it’s both. I’ll start with your family because I’m going to need more context about Kaitlyn and Golden Boy before I tell you why I think it matters what she thinks,” Luna rambles and I honestly think she could tell me anything right now and I’d believe her.Aliens are real? Yes. Luna has seen Bigfoot? Absolutely.“Honestly, I think by keeping everything in, it’s only going to weigh you down more. Based on everything you’ve told me about them, I think they’ll understand. Maybe not at first, but give it a couple hours—or days—and it’ll be fine.”
God, have I been working myself up over nothing? Well, not really nothing—just a small case of arson, believing the worst of my family, wanting to date my brother’s ex-girlfriend,how I lived with my not-so-half-brother, got beat up more than a few times on the streets, how I decided to start calling JJ, and lastly, why I never told anyone where I was.No big deal, right?
“I don’t know if it’s that simple.”
Luna scoffs. “You won’t know until you tell them, but what’s going on with Kaitlyn?”
“Hunter came clean with her, and they broke up. She came straight here after, and I don’t know what Kaitlyn expects or wants from me.”
I don’t want to be a second choice. I know things are complicated with how they got together, but if Kait does want me, then I need to know it’s not because I’m the only option left.
“What I think she wants is to hop on your dick,” she says, and I choke in surprise. “I’m just saying, if I break up with my non-existent boyfriend, I would not be running straight to his non-existent twin brother.” Luna stops talking, but then unfortunately continues, “Do you think she fantasizes about being with both of you? Tell me, are you guys around the same size? Just for my own curiosity.”
Holy fucking shit, I shouldn’t have asked Luna about this. I’m having serious regrets. “Did you really have to say that?”
“Oh my god, stop being so closed-minded. In all seriousness, it sounds like she finds it comforting to be around you, but if Kait just found out about how Hunter manipulated you, I think you should give her some time to process it. Or you could ask her what she wants, but you also told me I’m not supposed to call you an idiot.”
“Why didn’t you just say that?” I ask, lying back in bed, already starting to feel better.
Her laughter makes it easy to smile. “I could have, but I also didn’t have to answer. Some people might call me an angel.”
“Or a wolf in sheep’s clothing.” It’s almost scary how true it is. She can run circles around my brain before I even know she’s started.
I’m not sure how long we talk for, but by the time I’m falling back asleep, all thoughts of my nightmare have disappeared.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Kaitlyn
NOW
My brain has been churningwith the new information from Bailey about why he left, but I have a feeling there are still things he’s left out. I’m sure he’ll cover them when, or if, he ever decides to talk about it with me again.
For now, I’ve been going down the rabbit hole to dig up whatever information I can find on Sebastian’s previous fiancée, who I never even knew existed before now.
How did none of us ever find out about this before? It’s kind of insane the things we don’t know about our parents.
Having this to think about is helping keep my mind off the breakup with Hunter. I learned from Marley that JJ and Hunter plan to take a road trip across the country to get to Beaumont and sort out their issues with Hunt’s transfer. She said JJ’s mostly upset because he feels like Hunter doesn’t trust him.
Nothing screams bad idea like being trapped in the car together for 2,600 miles, but maybe that’s just me.
I’m sad because I love Hunter, and I wish we had more time to figure out how to be friends again before he leaves. It terrifies me that even though we both say we wantto be friends, we may never find our way back. All I want is for him to be happy, and I think breaking up was the best choice for us. In actuality, it felt like we’d broken up long before it was made official.
I feel less like I’m floating in limbo and more like I’m finally standing on solid ground again. It’s still shaky, but stable enough.
I minimize the tab I had pulled up when Thalia walks onto the gallery floor from the back. “Are you positive you’re okay with running the gallery by yourself while we’re in California?”
“Yes, and if I have any questions, I can call my mom or the Charlotte gallery. It’s important you’re both there for them.”
Thalia’s green eyes soften as they comb over my face. “Have you talked to Hunter?” she asks, and I push a faint smile on. I love her for still worrying about me, but I’ll be okay. I’m more worried about Hunter. I haven’t heard from him since he told me to stay at the house. He got back from Charlotte yesterday, and I’ve been trying to make myself scarce.
One thing I didn’t expect to happen was for me to be spending more time with Mirabelle, but it’s really nice. She’s always been there for me, but it was obvious to everyone I was better friends with the twins—or at least that was the case until I made a mess of everything. Now, I’d say Mira and I are more like friends instead ofhey, I was dating your little brother while I had the hots for his twin, and you’re married to my older brother.
