Page 42 of Wylder & the Rising Rockstar
“I called my brother.”
“You didn’t really expect him to answer so early, did you?” One corner of his lips hooked up. “But you knew I would.” The phone bounced as he descended the stairs and threw himself onto the couch. His expression turned serious. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For everything. Wylds, we never should have kept Luke a secret from you, and you never should have been asked to keep it from Logan. We should’ve known this would all blow up. I just hate that the consequences fell on you.”
Wylder didn’t blame him. The decision not to tell Logan had been hers. “I-I don’t know how to do this, Nicky.”
“Do what?”
“The aftermath of a breakup.”
“I saw you after Sebastian, remember? You handled that one well.”
Wylder sighed. “This is… different.”
Nicky gave her a sad smile. “Always is when you love them.”
“Whoa there.” Wylder reeled back. “Never said the L-word.”
“But I can tell. Even when you guys were here. I’m not saying it’s the forever kind of love, Wylds, or that it’s not. But I’ve known you for a long time, and you’ve never looked at anyone the way you looked at Logan. You came to Nashville for him. Twice. Got involved in his family drama, supported his brother.”
“I—"
“You love him.”
“I can’t, Nicky.” Tears welled in her eyes. “If I do, then I’ve lost so much more than I thought.”
Nicky’s smile fell. “I’m sorry.”
Wylder needed a subject change. She wiped her eyes. “How did all this even happen? Becks and Luke hated each other.”
“After Luke’s brothers went back to school, Luke showed up here. He couldn’t get into his house because of the reporters. I left for class and when I got back, I found the two of them drinking coffee together in the kitchen bonding over you and Logan of all things.”
“Us?”
“Think about it. Becks and Luke care about one thing above all else. Their siblings. And from that, the weirdest bromance in the history of bromances was born. They’re even still at war on Twitter, but now I think it’s just for fun. When Becks suggested Twin Rivers as a hideout, Luke was resistant at first. Then, I think he wanted to see why his brothers loved it so much. I think the idea of living with a normal family got to him.”
“My family isn’t exactly normal.” Wylder laughed.
“No, but your parents are the best, normal or not.”
“They really are.” She’d gotten lucky in that regard. “I can’t fault Luke for wanting to stay there.”
“I know you were asked to keep Luke’s secret, Wylds, but I understand why Logan is upset. I think you need to grovel.”
“I do too. That’s the problem. I wouldn’t forgive me if I was him.” But Logan was so much better than she was.
Nicky sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, me too.”
12
Grovel… Wylder could do that, right?
After Wylder got off the phone with Nicky, she’d crawled out of bed, stuck her feet in her furry slippers, and walked to the boys’ wing. Killian was still awake when she got there, but Logan hadn’t returned yet, so she waited in their common room, falling asleep on the couch.
