He's sitting in the driver's seat, his broad shoulders tense beneath his dark blue suit jacket. Even from here, I can see the exhaustion etched into his handsome face. When he notices me, he gestures for me to join him in his car.
I slide into the passenger seat, immediately surrounded by his scent. Expensive cologne mixed with coffee and something uniquely Jack that makes my body respond despite my anxiety.
"What's wrong?" I ask, studying his profile. The strong jaw, the way his dark hair is slightly mussed like he's been running his hands through it, and the muscle ticking in his cheek.
Jack turns to face me, and the raw emotion in his hazel eyes steals my breath. "I can't keep lying to Robert."
The words hang between us like a confession. I knew this was coming. Have known since the moment I told Jack the truth about the twins. But hearing him say it out loud makes it real in a way I'm not prepared for.
"Jack ..."
"He's dying, Mia." His voice cracks slightly. "My best friend is dying, and I'm lying to him every single day. About his grandsons. About what happened between us. About everything that matters."
I reach for his hand, threading my fingers through his. His palm is warm and slightly rough against mine. "I know."
"I went to see him yesterday." Jack's jaw tightens. "He was talking about the twins, how grateful he is that they're in his life now. How he wishes he'd known about them sooner." He turns to look at me fully, and the guilt in his expression mirrors my own. "He kept thanking me for looking out for you at school. For being a good friend to his family."
The knife of shame twists deeper into my chest. "What do you want to do?"
"Tell him the truth." Jack's voice is firm now, decisive. "Tonight. Together. No more secrets, no more lies. He deserves to know before he dies."
My throat tightens with fear and relief in equal measure. "He's going to hate us."
"Probably." Jack squeezes my hand. "But at least he'll know the truth. At least we'll have been honest with him, even if it's ten years too late."
I study Jack's face, taking in the determined set of his jaw, the way his hazel eyes hold mine without flinching. He's right. We've been cowards long enough.
"Okay," I hear myself say. "Tonight. We'll tell him together."
Jack pulls me across the console and into his arms. I press my face against his chest, feeling his heart beat steady and strong beneath my cheek. His hand strokes my back in soothing circles.
"It's going to be okay," he murmurs against my hair. "Whatever happens, we face it together."
I want to believe him. Want to trust that somehow this will work out. But I know my father. I know his sense of honor andloyalty. Learning his best friend slept with his eighteen-year-old daughter will destroy something fundamental in him.
The school day passes in a fog. I teach my classes on autopilot, going through the motions while my mind spins through worst-case scenarios. During lunch, I text Noah asking if he can watch the twins tonight. His response comes quickly:Of course. Pizza and movies. They'll be fine.
Blake catches me in the hallway between classes, his brown eyes concerned as they search my face. "You okay? You look pale."
"Just tired." I force a smile, hyperaware of students streaming past us. "Long night."
His gaze drops briefly to my mouth, then lower, taking in the curve of my breasts beneath my blouse before snapping back to my eyes. Heat flares between us despite the crowded hallway. "If you need anything..."
"I know." I touch his arm briefly, feeling the solid muscle beneath his coaching polo. "Thank you."
After school, I pick up the twins and drive them to Noah's apartment. He opens the door wearing jeans and a button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing his lean forearms. His green eyes are warm behind his glasses as he greets Rory and Corey.
"Pizza's already ordered," he tells them. "And I've got three movies queued up. Your choice which one we watch first."
The twins race inside, already arguing about whether to watch the superhero movie or the animated one. Noah pulls me aside, his hand finding the small of my back.
"You sure you're okay?" His voice is low, concerned. "You seem tense."
"Jack and I are telling my father the truth tonight." The words come out steadier than I feel.
Noah's expression shifts to understanding. "That's brave."
"It's terrifying." I lean into him slightly, drawing strength from his solid presence. "But it's time. Past time."
