Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

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

His eyes soften, just enough to tell me he's here, that

It's enough.

speak.

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The Figured it Out

The room goes still.

fingers digging into his knees as he

brows furrow, like he's trying to

wide and a hot, red blush

watches me, kind eyes

the first to speak. "You

I'm not. But for a few days, I really thought I

eyes, letting out a slow breath, like he's releasing an entire mountain

anxious energy.

through his hair. "Thank,

I let out a small, breathy laugh. “Yeah. I know how you feel. I don't exactly feel ready to be a

something at the same time, both Jake and Aiden turn

hasn't said a word.

aren't you reacting?"

brother and father,

narrows his

him, like Zaid had, too. I couldn't let him take all the

you guys. And I

the same time. Jake rears back,

Jake asks, his chest heaving as his breath

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The Figured it Out

lip, not really knowing why they are reacting

the car?" Aiden asks, trying to

my head, frowning. My eyes go to Zaid, who is staring at his lap. "No, um, he waited in the lobby

Jake looks like he can't breathe. Something crosses his eyes and I can't quite place it. It's realization, and hurt, all

of me, taking my hands into his.