Page 118 of That Last Secret

“I won’t tell Oliver if that’s what you’re worried about,” Macey adds with a shrug. “You look kind of nervous. Call it mom instinct.”

It’s taken me a lot to fully trust someone.

I learned to trust Logan, so I know I can trust these two now.

“So, a little over a year ago—”

Avery spits out her drink. “Are you kidding me? It’s been over a year?”

“Would you let me finish?”

“Proceed. I have to hear this.” Avery sits forward more in her chair.

“It started when I thought he couldn’t stand me. He started treating me differently, and I just felt so off around him. I don’t know how to explain it. We had a very heated coffee shop run-in, and things always seemed so weird when he would show up in the ER.”

“I hate that feeling,” Macey says. “It’s like something is wrong, but he can’t communicate it.”

“Yes,” I emphasize. “Then one night I was in the library studying and…”

I didn’t think this through. I didn’t know how to tell this story without telling them about my panic attacks. I fall completely silent and still. My hands tremble under the table and I look down at them.

I’m going to have to lie to my friends.

I can’t let them know just yet. I’m not ready.

“And?” Avery asks, eager to hear the story for the juicy details.

“And someone was creeping me out,” I lie. “I called Thomas and Marc, but neither of them answered. It was a Wednesday, so I called Logan to see if he was with them so someone could come get me. He wasn’t with them anymore but he showed up.

“He started getting slightly protective over me and ensured I was okay after class and studying. I thought it was because he saw me as his little sister or something, but—”

“It wasn’t.” Avery interrupts, grinning wildly. “I knew I saw something there. I suspected it for a while, but Peyton’s wedding confirmed it. I wanted to fuck you both with how hot you looked on the dance floor.”

“Avery,” Macey scolds.

“Emiline knows this is who I am.”

“I do.” I chuckle behind my hand. “But yeah, things are definitely taking a turn now. We’re seeing each other a lot more. And doing… things.”

Avery rolls her eyes. “Just say the word. It won’t bite.”

I look around to make sure no one’s listening. “Sex.”

I cover my face with my hands while Avery laughs across the table. “I love you so much, Emiline.”

“I love you too,” I tell her.

“So you two are officially a thing?” Macey asks curiously.

I lift a shoulder. “Truthfully? I don’t even know anymore. Our plan was to wait until after graduation to talk to my brothers. It’s hard to hide or deny how we feel when we’re around each other anymore.”

“I get that.” Macey nods. “Are you afraid of them finding out?”

I look her dead in the eyes. “Macey, I’m shaking in my seat just telling you two. Hell yeah, I’m scared. They are going to murder him. I’m their baby sister.”

“I can hold Marc back.” Avery grins. “I know exactly what to do that gets him to stop worrying about everyone else and focus only on me.”

“Don’t even tell me,” I beg.

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