Nova groans and drops her head against the sofa’s cushion. “I really hope not.”
“We’ll just pretend your brother wouldn’t be dumb enough to invite them to the party,” I say.
Nova straightens and pins me with a smirk. “Speaking of brothers... So you and Ryder, huh?” She bites into her Twizzlers. “How long have you been keeping that secret?”
My cheeks warm with a blush. “A few days.”
I feel like crap for keeping it from Nova and Olivia, but to be fair, I didn’t expect them to understand. It’s silly of me to assume something like that, especially after seeing how open-minded they were with Dahlia and Jaxon’s marriage.
Nova chews her candy while staring at me with an unreadable look.
I grimace and avert my gaze. “I’m sorry for not telling you and Olivia.”
“I don’t hold it against you.” She shrugs and rips off another bite. “It’s scary to have a relationship with a sibling, blood or not, because there’s a ton of people out in the world who will judge.”
Tension melts from my muscles that have been stiff since Nova watched Ryder kiss me. I sag in my seat and suck in a breath that brings another wave of comfort. I didn’t realize how tensed up I’d been until Nova finally addressed the pink elephant in the room.
She notices the change in me and grins. “We’re best friends. I don’t care who you date so long as he treats you like a queen and doesn’t cheat.”
I cringe. “If anyone is a cheater, it’s me.”
“What?” Nova’s back straightens, and she drops her candy. “You’re cheating on Ryder?”
“No.”
“Then who are—” Realization crosses her features, and she blows a raspberry with a wave of her hand. “I forgot Justin even existed. Fuck him. He doesn’t count, so that doesn’t make you a cheater.”
I don’t try to arguewith her logic, even though it’s skewed.
Thunder rumbles in the distance. Its vibrations tremble the glass in the kitchen and the floor beneath my feet.
Nova glances at the TV, but her eyes lose focus.
“You okay?” I ask.
She plucks the candy from the seat beside her and bites into it. “I’m fine.” She blinks, but the same detached expression remains on her face as she turns to me. “Is it okay if I blast some music or something?”
My eyebrows pinch together, and I nod.
Nova lunges for the remote on the coffee table. She turns off the movie and changes the app to Spotify, then chooses the first song on her liked playlist. She relaxes into the seat but refuses to look at me as she munches on candy and glances at the covered windows every time lightning flashes outside.
“Nova?” I scoot to the edge of my seat. “Seriously, are you okay?”
She must not hear me over the music because she continues staring at the TV, her gaze slipping every now and again toward the window.
My phone vibrates in my hand. I hesitate to read the messages, torn if I should move closer to Nova and figure out what’s going on. Over the years, I’ve noticed her shutting down during thunderstorms. Aiden has always been able to helpkeep her calm.
Thunder quakes the room, but the music drowns out most of the rumble. I eye Nova, watching to see how she reacts. She continues munching on the candy and staring at the TV with a glazed look.
I peek at the new messages.
Dad
Where are you?
You can’t run from this, Madison.
He can’t save you, girl.
