Page 154 of That Last Secret

“I totally did.” I laugh, and the table goes quiet. I look around, wondering if I said something wrong. “What?”

Peyton smiles first. “It’s really good to see you laugh. I know this last week has been hard on you, and I’m proud of how well you’ve handled things. You took the biggest test of your life, livedin a hospital, your brothers found out about you two, and you’re still smiling.”

My smile falls.

“No, no. Go back. I don’t want you to be upset.” Peyton reached her hand across the table to take mine. “I just needed you to know we’re proud.”

“Thank you,” I say honestly. “I truly think I’m just numb to everything still. But I woke up and felt this overwhelming feeling that today would be a good day. I think it’s because I knew I was meeting with you guys. I don’t know if you know this, but the four of you are good for the soul.”

Avery does a fake bow over the table. “At your service.”

Macey swats her upper arm. “I feel the same way about you all. I wouldn’t have made it here in the city without you guys.”

“There are a lot of emotions happening here,” Avery says. “But also, I feel the same.”

“Look at everything we’ve been through together,” Peyton says, looking around the table. “Me getting a job on my first day in the city. Remember when I met you at the park, Emiline? I was so nervous.”

“You definitely were.”

“And then I fell in love with your brother, only for Avery to fall in love with your other brother.” Peyton laughs.

“Listen, he totally fell for me first. I fought that shit hard,” Avery defends.

“Riiiight,” Peyton draws out. “And then we met Macey, who I’m pretty sure was the only woman in the world with the power to pull Oliver out of team single for life.”

“He changed my life.” Macey smiles, and I swear it reaches her eyes.

“We’ve all been through so much,” I repeat Peyton’s words. “I’d be lost without you guys.”

With that, we all stand from our chairs for a group hug.

This weirdly feels like a goodbye.

Something about that thought makes me think of Logan again. And the moment I do, a cold breeze hits my forearm.

Alarm bells ring in my head.

My appetite is gone, and I want to run out the door.

Macey is the first to pick up on it. “Is everything okay?” she asks.

“I…” I stand and look at the door and back at them. “I think I need to get back to the hospital.”

“Why don’t you eat first,” Peyton says. “Thomas said he would—”

Just as the words leave her lips, her phone rings.

“Speak of the devil.” She answers her phone. “Hello?” Her smile falls. “Okay, I’ll tell her.”

Peyton hangs up and looks at where I stand. She doesn’t have time to speak before I bolt out the door as fast as I can.

I’m coming, Logan.

My heart is racing, a frantic drumbeat in my chest, and I’m struggling to catch my breath. It's not just the sprint from the restaurant that's left me breathless.

I stand in the hallway, trying to gather my thoughts before I walk in.

On the other side of that door, my life could be transformed into a dream or a nightmare, the fear of regretting my decision to leave his side forever haunting me.

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