Page 25 of Honeyed

Tentatively, Warren takes his handshake and nods, the two of them not breaking eye contact. It’s a huge step in the right direction, because Liam is usually the surly, stubborn one who won’t drop a grudge or an attitude for anything.

Mom walks to me, smoothing a hand over my hair, and pulls me into her arms. “It isn’t how I would have wanted it, but I’m happy it finally happened. I’ve always known he was the one for you.”

I pat her back as I stay silent. Because if I open my mouth, I might cry. Here my family is, adjusting to this idea that I am so in love I couldn’t wait a second longer when it’s not the case at all. My eyes flick sideways to Warren, who looks like he’s trying not to grind down on his molars.

Could any of that little speech he gave be true? Unease flutters through me that it might not be but hope springs in my heart that he could have been putting more weight behind those words than he’s telling me.

“Married. Huh. This is so weird.” Patrick grins as he comes over to hug us.

“You take care of my girl, yeah?” Mom pulls Warren into a hug. “I’m so proud of you, though. I’ve never wanted another son more than you.”

Tears clog my throat at that. What will happen when we eventually split up?

Warren’s hand is still laced in mine, and I lean into his shoulder for support. He releases my mom and pulls me into his side, a strong arm wrapping around my waist. Even with all the complications, it feels like we’re a unit, and I let myself pretend for a moment.

Dad still stands rooted to the spot he came out in, and I want to say something to him. I want him to yell or congratulate us, anything. But he stays silent, assessing us. Everyone in the room is waiting for his reaction like we’re balanced on pins and needles.

“Thomas,” Warren starts but is interrupted by my father walking out of the dining room and swinging the door to the kitchen violently behind him. Mom gasps, following him on stomping feet, and Warren hangs his head in disappointment and defeat.

“He’ll come around,” Evan assures the room, although I’m not sure he believes it.

“Can I take you guys out for a celebratory drink?” Patrick tries to recover the good mood we’ve been rounding to, but it’s lost.

I peer up at Warren. “Let’s go home.”

We’d driven separately, but I’m not letting him leave alone right now.

“Yeah.” He looks completely defeated.

“We’ll see you guys, later. We can celebrate later.” I nod at my brothers.

Except what are we celebrating? A fake love? I swallow down past my sadness once again.

But I gather the strength for the both of us since Warren seems to be the one in need of more support right now. I drive us home, aware that my family now knows and there is no going back from here.

11

ALANA

“You got married!”

Cassandra meets me at her newly-painted front door, a pile of hardwood beams next to her as I step inside.

“This place looks awesome,” I comment as I look up to the new light fixture in their foyer.

She and Patrick have been hard at work with their contractors to design their forever home, and there are only a few more rooms to go until they’re fully done. Supposedly, that will be just in time for the baby, who I haven’t stopped shopping for.

“Oh no, don’t think you’re going to distract me with house talk. Get your ass in here and give me all the details. I about fell out of bed when Patrick came home and told me.”

Snorting, I follow her into the kitchen. “I know, and I haven’t stopped hearing from you in the two days since.”

She’s been blowing my phone up like I’m some fuckboy who ghosted her.

“Um, because you got freaking married. To Warren. Without telling any of us!” she nearly screeches.

“Calm down, I am not trying to meet that baby early.” I hush her as we both pull out chairs at her kitchen table.

“Spill. Now. Oh wait, but first, I got you something!” She pulls out a gift bag from another chair and pushes it toward me.

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