“No, Mac. It doesn’t,” he says again, firmer this time. “It was all in the past, baby girl.”
I swallow the lump rising in my throat.
“I know you want answers. And maybe one day you’ll get them. But knowing who she was won’t change how he feels about you now.”
Trey pulls back slightly, just enough to look into my eyes.
“You’re his world. His air. His whole damn future. And yeah, Logan’s made mistakes—we all have. But nothing from back then means anything compared to what he feels for you now.”
I try to look away. I can’t. His words hold me still.
“So be mad. Be livid. Take your time. Feel all of it—because your feelings? They’re real. And they matter. But don’t let that love go, Mac. Don’t throw it away over something that never meant a damn thing to him.”
I listen, but inside, I want to scream. I want to lash out and break something—anything.
Let him go?
No… I don’t think I ever truly considered that. Not really.
Trey pauses, eyes soft, full of something that aches.
“That kind of love… the way he looks at you? And you at him? I can only pray I find that one day.”
I break again.
Not from betrayal.
But from the weight of love—and how deeply it hurts when it’s real.
Trey doesn’t move. Doesn’t speak.
He just holds me through it.
Solid. Steady.
A quiet place in the chaos.
Chapter 24
Logan
Istand on the porch, staring at the door like maybe it’ll open. Like maybe she’ll come out, eyes soft, lips parted, arms reaching for me. But it doesn’t. And she doesn’t. The last thing she said before I left was, I can’t look at you right now. And I don’t blame her. The ache in my chest is sharper than it has any right to be, considering I did this to myself. I told myself it didn’t matter—those nights, those women—those meaningless moments. Because they weren’t her. But the past doesn’t stay buried just because you want it to. It festers. Rots beneath the surface until it stinks—until it forces its way up through the cracks and demands to be seen. I drag a hand down my face anddrop onto the porch step, elbows braced on my knees. My pulse is a hammer in my throat. I should’ve told her sooner. Should’ve laid it all out the second we got together. But I let fear convince me I could outrun it. The door creaks open behind me. I tense and spin around, hope flaring— But it’s not her. It’s Trey.
He doesn’t say anything at first. Just steps out and lets the screen door click shut behind him.
Arms crossed, eyes scanning me. “She’s asking for you.” My heart jerks.
I shoot to my feet too fast, nearly tripping over the step. “What? Is she okay?”
“She’s calmer,” he says. “Still shook. But not crying anymore.” He glances back at the door. “I think she’s ready to hear the truth. From you.”
I swallow hard. “She hasn’t seen them yet?”
“No.” He raises a brow. “Which means you still have a chance to show her. To explain—before her imagination does more damage than the facts ever could.”
I nod slowly, heart in my throat.
“Just… don’t lie to her, man,” Trey adds. “Don’t sugarcoat it. She’s stronger than you think.” I nod again. Because he’s right.
