“You made it pretty clear you didn’t see me that way. So why the change of heart?”
Because the truth is worse than the version I believed when I was twelve years old.
“I say it because you actually are.”
Her head tilts as she studies me. “What are you talking about?”
“Ryan told me something before he died. He overheard a conversation between your mum and my dad.”
Charlotte shifts, sitting up a little straighter. “What kind of conversation?”
“A serious one. About you.”
She inhales deeply. “Okaaay.”
“They thought they were alone. Ryan was nearby and heard everything.” My voice sounds off, even to me, but I push through it. “He said they were talking about when to tell you the truth.”
Her brow furrows. “What truth?”
There’s no easy way to say it, so I just go for it. “You weren’t just adopted by my dad. He was your father.”
Which means he was having an affair with Tara while he was still married to Mum. She had it right all along. And I hate that he did that to her.
“Ryan said Dad wanted to tell you after the sailing trip. He thought you were old enough to understand.”
Charlotte just stares at me.
“You’re not my step or adopted sister. You’re my half-sister.”
Silence fills the space between us. Then she shakes her head.
“No.”
Disbelief shows in her face, but I don’t argue. I’ve had two years to accept it. She’s had two seconds.
“No, Dane. I don’t want that to be true.”
“I don’t either.”
She reaches out, looping her pinkie around mine. “Tell me why you don't want it to be true.”
My gaze drops to our hands. I stare at where our fingers hook together, saying nothing.
“Dane,” she says quietly. “Tell me.”
There are a hundred ways to dodge it. A hundred ways to soften it, redirect it, avoid saying it out loud. But she’s watching me, waiting. She isn’t going to let this go.
“Because it complicates things between us.”
She frowns. “What does that mean?”
The words are a boulder sitting in my throat. “Charlotte?—”
“Say what you mean, Dane.”
There’s no room left to hide.
I close my eyes for a second, then look at her. “It complicates things because I’m in love with you.”
