“You can come home more, if you want,” I offer, my tone gentle.
He shrugs it off and stands.“Happy birthday.”He stalks back toward the house.I watch after him in confusion.He doesn’t make sense.I don’t remember the last time I truly understood my brother, especially after everything he put Danika through the year and a half they dated.
Danika didn’t tell me the full details.She didn’t want to be the reason I hated my brother.I promised that wasn’t possible—I already despised him, while still loving him.It’s a dizzying dichotomy.
But from the little she revealed, I learned he’d criticize every little thing about her—from her hair to how her clothes fit.He’d make offhanded comments that sent her into a spiral of self-criticism.She never felt good enough for him.I promised he was lucky to even know her name.
Darcy is next and shares a secret.She recently found out she’s adopted.I’m not exactly surprised, considering she looksnothinglike the rest of her family.But she’s apparently very surprised by this news.“I want to know why my birth parents gave me up,” she confesses.
“Does it bother you?I mean, I know how much your family loves you.”There’s not much in this world that dims Darcy’s shine, but a shadow troubles her bright eyes.
“It’s hard to think about them and not wonder why they couldn’t love me.”
My heart aches with this truth.“Maybe they gifted you to your parents because theydolove you.”A tight hug is needed in this moment, and she’s smiling again by the time we let go.
Jaz allows me to ask her a question.
“Was it hard, coming out to your parents?”
“Nope,” she replies coolly.“They actually laughed and said they were happy I finally figured it out.I mean, it’s not like I was denying it.They just knew before I did.So, it wasn’t a big deal.”
I can’t help but love her more.I wish I could know myself with as much confidence.
Collin declares that he’s in love with his best friend.I punch him in the arm, so he proceeds to confess hisrealtruth.The day Jonathan and I first kissed, he didn’t have to help his grandfather.Jonathan asked him if he could be alone with me.My cheeks become hotter than the fire.
I can barely look at Jonathan when he sits across from me.But I reach for the courage that I barely have a grasp on and blurt, “I’d like to ask a question.”
Jonathan has already started speaking.“I lu—what?”
I blink.He stares back at me, just as stunned.
“Go ahead,” he says, encouraging me to ask the question that’s been slicing up my insides.Now I wish I’d heard his truth.Too late.
“Did your father give you that cut on your lip?”It’s a small cut on the inner lip, as if caused by a tooth or a ring.I probably wouldn’t have noticed if I hadn’t felt it when we kissed.
Jonathan’s shoulders sink with a deep exhale.I wait.And just when I think he’s not going to answer, he does.
“Yes.”
My chest tightens.“I think I saw when it happened.”
His brows rise.
“We came by the haunted house.I saw you and your dad arguing…”
“That was you?”
I nod.He swallows.
“He looked really angry,” I continue.“So did you.”
“I shouldn’t have pushed him.”
“Has he hurt you before?”
I stay connected with his troubled gaze.I know he wants to look away.Honestly, so do I.Seeing the truth is hard.
“Danika!”a deep voice bellows within the dark.Jonathan stands and turns toward the voice coming from the side of the house.“Danika!”
