Page 231 of Better When Shared
“Eight with Kiaan. Six with Ryker,” I corrected, then cursed myself for knowing that so precisely.
“If they were honest about the things you thought were lies—Ryker’s career and Kiaan’s millions—they were probably honest about everything else too,” Hui said, the observation landing like a well-aimed arrow. “You can’t talk to someone every day for eight years and hide who you are.”
“That’s what’s worrying,” I muttered.
“What do you mean?” Makai asked, his tone gentler now.
I picked at a napkin, shredding it between my fingers. “Online, I can think before I respond. I can be who I want to be. In person, I’m just... this.” I gestured at myself—the nervous habits, the social anxiety that had me constantly scanning the cafe for exits, the words that came out wrong half the time. The fact that I’d been flirting with them both and keeping that a secret.
“And what’s wrong with this? We love you.” Makai smirked, his hair falling into his eyes as he leaned forward. “Sky, maybe Hui has the right idea. Maybe it’s time to take a risk. Both of these guys seem great, and they’re really into you, and you have a lot to offer. Why not give them a chance? Maybe one of them is the one.”
I leveled my fork at him. “You are the worst friend ever.”
“No, I’m the best friend ever, because I’m telling you what you need to hear.”
I stabbed my fork violently at my plate, pancakes demolished into a syrupy mess. “You don’t understand what it’s like. When I’m online, I’m confident. I’m in control. I lead our guild through the hardest raids. People respect me.” I swallowed hard. “In person, I’m an anxious mess. I can barely make small talk with the mailman. And now they’re waiting at the house,” I said weakly. “Wondering where I ran off to.”
“Probably,” Makai agreed. “Though we could take advantage of this and point Ryker towards the barn. It needs a new roof and he seems handy.”
I laughed. “If he’s going to repair anything, it should be my house. I don’t think he can sit still when he’s nervous, so he finds things to do.”
My grandmother leaned in. “See? That’s information only a good friend would have. You have known these boys for years. Not their faces or their jobs—but their hearts. You know who they are, just as they know the true you.”
The truth of her words hit me like a physical blow. I did know them. Better than almost anyone. I knew Ryker’s quiet steadiness, the way he put everyone else’s needs before his own, how he’d stayed up all night with me just to keep me company. I knew Kiaan’s brilliant mind, his drive to prove himself, the insecurities he hid behind achievements.
And they knew me. The real me. Not just the competent raid leader or the snarky gamer, but the girl who struggled with crowds, who coded until 4 a.m. because nightmares kept her awake, who’d never had a relationship last longer than three months because getting close to people terrified her.
That knowledge terrified me more than strangers ever could.
I pulled out my phone, staring at the text from Kiaan about the helicopter ride. My thumb hovered over the screen for a long moment before I typed a response.
Fine. I’ll go on your stupid helicopter ride. But only because I’ve always wanted to ride in a stupid helicopter, for fuck’s sake.
I hit send before I could change my mind, then looked up to find both Makai and Hui watching me with identical knowing expressions.
“I hate you both,” I said without heat.
“No, you don’t.” Makai’s grin made me want to punch him.
“You love us,” Hui added, patting my hand. “Just as those boys love you.”
“Nobody said anything about love,” I protested.
My phone buzzed.
Kiaan
Helicopter leaves at 2. Wear something warm. And I accept your grudging enthusiasm as the highest form of compliment.
I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips. God, they were both so fucking hot in person. It wasn’t even fair. How could I be expected to pick just one?
“I should get going.” I pulled some bills from my wallet and tossed them on the table. “I have a helicopter to catch.”
“Have fun,” Makai called as I stood. “Try not to overthink it.”
Fat chance of that.
Chapter 4
