Secrets of Us A Forbidden Love Romance (Alina)

Chapter 176

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

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

It's enough.

exhale and finally speak. "I thought I was

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The Figured it Out

The room goes still.

digging into his knees as he keeps his dark eyes on

brows furrow, like he's

a hot, red blush crawls up his chest

kind eyes and

the first to speak. "You thought

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

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

anxious energy.

sharp exhale, running a hand through his hair. "Thank, fuck. Holy shit. I'm way too

out a small, breathy laugh. “Yeah. I know

as if realizing something at the same time, both

hasn't said a word.

you reacting?"

brother and father, still not

narrows his eyes. "You

like I had betrayed him, like Zaid had,

to tell you guys. And I

the same time. Jake rears back, turning to me with

asks, his

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The Figured it Out

nod, chewing on my lip, not really knowing why

He waited in the car?" Aiden asks, trying to

go to Zaid, who is staring

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

stands then, crosses the space between us and squats in front of me, taking my hands into his. "Is that what