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“You were already in New York,” I retort. “Sky, how’s Maria?” I ask, turning away from my parents.

“She was sleeping and hopefully still is. An aide is scheduled to come at 8:00 a.m.” Sky has dark circles under his eyes.

“You’re exhausted. Let’s go to bed.” I fold him into my arms and inhale his honey cedarwood scent, but tonight it has an acidic bite to it.

“What about us?” My dad finally speaks.

“Did you fly here expecting me to ask you to spend the night at Sky’s house when you’re unkind to him? That is the nicest thing I can say about your treatment of him.”

“I told you! He’s poisoning our son against us.” My mom cries, but no tears fall.

“Sky has never said a bad word about you.” I cling to him as panic rolls off him. “I’m not going to deny Sky’s my boyfriend. I’ve loved him since high school, and if our relationship makes you uncomfortable, that’s a you problem.”

“No,” Mom says forcefully, willing her truth on us. “He deserted you.”

“I never said that.” I stiffen with the awareness that she’s hiding something.

“Yes, you did.” She waves dismissively.

“No. When Sky left, it broke my heart, and it was even harder knowing you were happy about it. You made your opinion of him clear, and I wasn’t going to add to my pain with your gloating.” I keep an arm around Sky but step to position myself between him and my parents. “I never spoke Sky’s name again, so there was no reason for you to think he deserted me.”

Her cheeks redden, and she turns to my father for help, but he’s silent, unable to put the pieces together.

“I notice when my son is hurting, and he hurt you,” she spits out.

“Enough.” I stride to the front door, towing Sky along because I’m not leaving his side. “Bottom line: Sky and I are together in a romantic relationship. I’ve told the team, and we’re working with the PR director regarding coming out. Do not come back until you accept us. Sky and I are a package deal.”

“You don’t mean that, Son,” my dad says, placating me the same way he did when I was five.

“You would be one of those kids who maliciously goes no contact with your parents?!” My mom clutches her necklace the way women of a certain age cling to a set of pearls.

“If my parents can’t accept who I am and who I love, yes.” I open the door and motion for them to leave.

Sky’s breath hitches, but he doesn’t say anything. Once my parents are gone, I pick him up to take him to bed. I need him close because he’s so far away, even in my arms.

“I’m sorry,” I say, which is woefully inadequate for what my parents pulled on him. On us.

“Mav,” he says, and I nearly drop him. It sounds like the beginning of a goodbye I’m not ready for.

“I need you tonight,” I admit. “It’s been torture being away from you. Can we have tonight, and we’ll talk tomorrow?”

Sky agrees with a chaste kiss, and my heart starts breaking all over again.

Chapter 28

Skylar Engelhardt/ Lark Angel

The sunlight creeps through the windowpane and paints Mav in warm light. He slept restlessly all night. He clung to me, which makes this even harder. This is my nightmare coming true, and I’m eighteen years old again, faced with an impossible choice.

Mav’s hand flings out, and I lace our fingers together. His eyes flutter open, and his smile is the best thing I’ve seen in days.

“Don’t cry.” He sits up in alarm and brushes my tears away. “Are you leaving me?” His voice cracks, and I cry harder.

“No,” I say, and he tackles me flat on my back. “But this is important.”

I wiggle out of his arms and sit against the headboard, gathering the courage to say the things that must be said.

“Arion, I missed you so much. More than anything, but I need you to listen for a minute.” I brush the tips of his spikey hair.