Page 106 of I Could Be Yours

“Is this for fucking real?” Tristan looks like he’s ready to spit nails.

I wish someone would throw water on me so I’d melt into a puddle.

Nate crosses his arms.

“Have you learned nothing from me?” He shakes his head, and his disappointment makes me want to shrink into myself. “We don’t keep secrets like this.”

If only he knew what other secrets we’re keeping.

Rix looks to me, hurt all over her beautiful face. I put that there.Thanks so much, Isaac.

“Okay.” I raise my hand before anyone else can jump in with more unhelpful comments. Like hell am I going to make this about me and Nate. “We’re all adults here, and we’re all capable of making adult decisions. This brunch is a celebration for Rix and Tristan, so let’s keep the focus there.” I grab the bouquet and toss it directly at Hammer.

She catches it.

I burst into applause and start hooting and hollering and thank fucking God for my friends, because they join in too.

I look to Rix, who gets up from the table and heads for me, face etched with worry. “I think we need to talk.”

I nod my agreement. “Let’s go for a walk.”

“When? Why? How? I thought you were on a dick hiatus,” she says once we’re away from our families and friends.

“Obviously I failed at the dick hiatus. We were planning a lot of things together for the wedding.” I rest my head against her shoulder and hug her arm. “But it really started the summer before university.”

She stops and turns to face me. “That was six years ago.”

“It hasn’t been going on for that long, but that was the catalyst.” We sit in the sand and let the water lap at our toes as I explain what happened—how we kissed at a party, that he ghosted me and moved to Kingston, and I didn’t hear from him again. Then we both moved back to Toronto, the engagement happened, and we were together a lot. “It was just supposed to be sex and nothing else.”

“Don’t we already know how this story ends?” She points to herself.

“You were hate fucking each other. We were having who-can-get-the-other-off-first competitions.”

“Not that different.” She squeezes me. “I’m not mad at you, but we are definitely going to talk when I get home.”

“Yeah. I didn’t keep it from you to hurt you.” I exhale my relief. “I just didn’t want to add to your worries, and it would have. No one was supposed to have feelings.”

“But you do have feelings?”

“It’s complicated. His mom showing up really hit him hard. I think he’s been trying to protect Tristan and Brody, but in the process he’s taken it all on himself, and I just need space to breathe.” And not be under a microscope.

“I didn’t realize it had gotten that bad. Between the phone calls and her showing up, he must be in a fragile place.”

“Yeah. It would be hard on anyone.” But hardest on a man who doesn’t let his feelings out of the box.

“I haven’t said anything to Tristan yet about that,” Rix confides. “As much as I don’t want to tell him, I need to tell him.”

“It’s a hard weight to carry.” I squeeze her hand. “But you don’t have to do it alone.”

CHAPTER 34

NATE

Iwatch Essie link arms with Rix and walk away. Of all the ways for Tristan and Rix to find out, this was at the bottom of the fucking list.

Isaac pats me on the shoulder. “Sorry, man. I should have realized the sneaking out at six in the morning was you trying to keep it a secret, not going for a morning jog.”

People are trying not to openly stare.

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