Chapter 175
The Figured it Out
That night, I force myself to slow down, to actually think. Nikki convinced me that it is time to talk to them, and I convince her that I need one more night to process everything.
Tomorrow I will speak to them, open up in ways that I have never opened up before. Ask them questions that will probably make us all question what our future will look like.
I go over every conversation, every moment, trying to make sense of what I feel, of what I
want.
Then, finally, I make a decision. I text our group chat, setting the expectation so we all
know what's needed.
A: Can we all talk after dinner?
J: Sure.
Aiden: Yeah, of course.
Z: Yes.
And just like that, it's set in stone. There's no backing out.
Hours later, we are all sitting in the living room. The guys are sitting beside each other on the couch while I am on a chair I dragged in from the dining table.
I want to face them, look at them all as we speak.
I'm so tense that my stomach knots up. I didn't really eat much of my dinner, nervous about this conversation. My palms are damp, my mouth dry as I lick my lips to try to add
some moisture.
I take a deep breath, searching for something steady, and my eyes find Zaid.
He's watching me, his expression unreadable, but when our gazes meet, everything inside
enough to tell me
It's enough.
speak. "I thought I
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The Figured it Out
The room goes still.
fingers digging into his knees as he keeps his dark eyes
brows furrow, like he's
go wide and a hot, red
me, kind eyes and
the first to speak. "You thought you were
for a few days, I
slow
anxious energy.
a hand through his hair. "Thank, fuck. Holy shit. I'm way
out a small, breathy laugh. “Yeah. I know how you
realizing something at the same time,
hasn't said a word.
you reacting?" Aiden
dark eyes shift toward his brother
narrows his eyes. "You
had, too. I couldn't let him take all
to tell you guys. And I didn't want to go to
interrupts. At the same time. Jake rears back, turning to me with a pale face
with you?" Jake asks, his chest heaving as his breath picks
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The Figured it Out
lip, not really knowing why
drove you? He waited in the car?" Aiden
Zaid, who is staring at his lap. "No, um, he waited in
like he can't breathe. Something crosses his eyes
hands into his. "Is that what you wanted to tell us? That you
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