Page 71 of Heatwaves

Mom considers me for a moment before nodding. “Then I believe them, but what does that mean for you?”

“I have no clue. I’m glad I heard them out, but I don’t know if it changes anything. I don’t know if it can.”

She hums but says nothing.

“In happier and less confusing news, I finally pulled my head out of my ass and told Wyatt I loved him.”

Mom lets out an ear-piercing squeal that has me wincing. “You did?”

“Yes, Mom. I did. In fact, I asked him to move in last night, and he said yes.”

“It’s about time,” Mom says, still grinning. “I told you to lock him down, didn’t I? I’m glad you listened to me for once. I know I don’t get involved in your life because it’s not what you want from me, but I’ve known how you felt about him for a long time. Just like I knew you were hurting so very much when those boys disappeared. I was so afraid we’d lose you in one way or another until you met Wyatt. Everything changed then.”

Grabbing my glass, I take another sip of wine. “It really did. Just like everything changed for you and Dad when you met Miguel.”

She flushes, lifting her glass to her lips as if she can hide behind it. “It’s amazing what meeting someone special can do for your life.”

It’s only then I realize I hadn’t told her about Ty’s big revelation.

“Oh, Mom! Do you know what the worst part of talking to them was? Just before they left, Ty told me we were all fated mates, but Bria did something to our bond so we wouldn’t recognize it when we met for the first time.”

“Huh.” Mom sets down her glass, brow furrowed as she thinks. “It’s not the first time I’veheard of a bond being suppressed. Although, it’s the first time I’ve heard it being caused by a goddess. This changes things, Lila. You know that, don’t you?”

Frowning, I finish my wine and set the glass down a little too hard on the table. “Why does it have to? I don’t have to choose them.”

“No, you don’t. But that will make life miserable for all five of you. I’m not telling you that you should just forgive them, but you should do some research on rejected bonds before making a decision. It might change your mind.”

I settle back into the seat, staring up at the stars once more as I consider my mom’s words.

I don’t know if it’ll change my mind—because, really, I haven’t made up my mind yet—but it would be best if I was more informed before making a decision. I guess I have some research to do.

“Are we sure this is a good idea?” Aidan leans over and asks, his eyes still locked on the door to the sports bar Wyatt asked us to meet him at.

I shake my head. “I have no idea, but it’s worth a shot.”

My eyes find Ty on the other side of the booth, between Oliver and the wall. He’s still completely shut down. It had been a struggle to get him showered and dressed, but there was no way we were leaving him home alone.

We got him in to see Dr. Gregory, and he’s been back every day since. The first day, she couldn’t get him to speak at all—not even with us in the room—but she told me she’d figure out what she needed to do in order to help him. At their last appointment on Friday, she told me afterward that he finally spoke.

Obviously, she couldn’t tell me what he said, but she said it was a good sign. Which is why he has a scheduled appointment with her every day this week. We had our first group appointment with her today, and Ty still didn’t say anything, but I’m trying not to let it get to me.

As much as I hate to admit it, I think he’s hit his breaking point. If we can’t figure out how to fix this with Lila, we’re going to lose him. Either he’s going to take his own life or we’re going to have to have him hospitalized. Either way, the man we love will be just as lost to us as Lila.

Unless Dr. Gregory can get through to him, which is what I’m hoping for.

Gods, I don’t want to lose him.

But that’s exactly why we’re here meeting Wyatt. We have no idea where to go from here, and if anyone will have some ideas, it’ll be the incubus.

If we can’t come up with a plan, we’ve already lost, and I’m not ready to admit defeat.

“There he is.” Aidan lifts his hand to get Wyatt’s attention, and the incubus heads for our booth.

Even though I hate to admit it, he’s hot as hell. All that thick blond hair, sharp cheekbones, the perfect body, and those navy blue eyes. Heexudes sexual energy, which makes sense since he’s an incubus. But there’s a part of me that still wants to hate him because he’s been in Lila’s life while we couldn’t be. Not to mention, they’re apparently together now.

Bitter jealousy courses through me as I watch him saunter closer to us.

If he had no link to Lila, I’d definitely hit that. I might even like him. It’s just hard to look at him in that light since he’s so entwined with Lila.

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