Page 107 of Friends Don't

“Why didn’t you say something?”

I shrug. “It wasn’t worth it.”

Collin looks exasperated. “Wasn’t worth it? Your reputation got shredded, and you don’t think the truth was worth it?”

This is so typical of Collin. He’s completely by the book. And he’s a lot like Holland in terms of his golden-boy status. What he fails to see is that if I would have told the truth about what happened between Tricia and me all those years ago, if people would have believed me, then it would have been her life in shambles.

“I would have hated myself if I’d have driven a wedge into the cornerstone of your family.”

Collin flinches, and I can tell he’s thinking about his dad. His jaw flexes, and he nods once. “Thank you,” he says quietly.

“Don’t mention it.”

Holland slaps me on the back again. “Well, now that we’ve aired all our dirty laundry, what’s left to do?”

I roll my eyes. Only my brother could manage to diffuse the heavy tension of a situation with his complete lack of awareness at how intense things had gotten.

I shove a strand of lights into Holland’s chest. “How do you feel about manual labor? I could use some help.”

Holland starts grumbling. “That’s not necessarily what I had in—”

“Start stringing this around that pole. When you get to the top, hold the strand in place.” I shoo him away.

“I can’t go and get electrocuted, Mack. My next tournament is in less than two weeks. My coach will kill me.”

I walk away from him, knowing full well he’ll do what I asked.

Collin is silent as he takes up a strand of lights I extend in his direction.

“Are we okay?” I ask, letting Holland prattle on in the background about how he can’t imagine why I picked the career I picked.

Collin nods. “I feel like I should have known. I should have suspected something. I’m a crappy friend.”

“You are not. You’re the only one who didn’t disown me. I always thought you did know.”

Collin tips his head. “I had my suspicions that things weren’t as they seemed, but still, Mack. You fell on the sword, and for what? Tricia has been an absolute witch.”

I shake my head.

He levels me with a look. “She has. I’m allowed to say so as her brother.”

“Fine. You’re right. But it’s water under the bridge. There’s no need for you to confront her about it. Please don’t. It’s what I’ve been trying to avoid all these years. And I was fine with it, truly, until…” I trail off, my throat suddenly constricting.

“Until Poppy,” Collin fills in.

I offer him a terse nod.

“Have you talked to her?”

I get back to work, talking to the sky instead of meeting his eyes. Together, we get the lights in place. “No.” I fill him in on the email situation. “I broke her trust, and I hate myself for it. I think I ruined my chances.”

Collin is quiet.

I chance a glance in his direction, and he’s staring back at me. I hate the pity in his eyes.

“What do I do?” I ask.

“Have you apologized?”

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