Page 88 of Drown in You

“So what does that mean? Is he texting from California?” My pulse echoes in my ears. If Ten really is in California, then I’ve been wrong about Luke for weeks.

I’m not sure which outcome will be more disappointing—the masked man being a total stranger or being my stepbrother.

Finn shrugs, finally opening his mouth to speak. “Could be anywhere.”

Ten could’ve been texting me from anywhere in the world. Maybe he’s never lived in California at all.

I stand from the couch. I know the man beneath the mask. His laugh, his voice, his face, his name. The way his jaw clenches when he’s pissed, the way he groans when he comes, the way his gray eyes instantly find mine in a crowded room.

Not Ten. Luke.

This whole time, Luke has been the masked man. He’s lied to me, hidden his identity, and ghosted me...for what?

I need to know why.

“We need to find Luke.”

Chapter 23

Luke

I’m finally starting to understand Mike’s gambling addiction. Pretty sure whatever hit he got from it is the same I get when I’m in the gym or on the ice.

I’m hurting Sienna. Her dad caused her the worst pain of her life by abandoning her, and now I’m doing the same. I’ve been the friend she’s relied on for years, her rock, and I abandoned her just like he did, knowing exactly the kind of pain it would cause. All because I can’t take the agony of losing her.

Seeing her with Marcus was a gut punch. The possibility of losing her hit me like a train. I won’t get that lucky again, and I won’t risk losing her. Even if it hurts now, she’ll forget about Ten eventually. I’m the one she can’t live without.

The double doors to the gym swing open. Knox, Damien, and Juliet are all stumbling drunk. Even Violet is giggly-drunk and Finn’s typical sure, steady gait is colored by the occasional misstep.

Wes and Sienna are the only two completely sober. As hockey captain, Wes is strict about avoiding alcohol during the season. And Sienna was no doubt sitting at the party worrying about me. That’s why they’re all here.

The gym is almost entirely vacant except for me and the metallic clatter of my weights. Sweat pours down my face as I drop the dumbbells. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“What the hell are you doing here?” Wes snipes back.

“You’re working too hard, Luke.” Violet jumps in because she knows I won’t pick a fight with her. “You need to go to a party once in a while and have some fun. Rest.”

I ignore them, gaze burning right through Sienna as if the words left her lips. Without shifting my gaze from her, I tell the rest of them, “Get your drunk asses home. I need to talk to my stepsister.”

Violet gives Sienna a sympathetic smile and Juliet mouths, Good luck, but none of them object as Wes guides them all out.

Sienna gulps as I stand and saunter toward her slowly. Sweat drips down from my temple and neck, soaking through my shirt.

“I’m worried about you.” Her voice is shaky. “You’re going to get hurt if you keep pushing yourself like this, and you’ve already been hurt enough.”

I close the space between us and reach for her, caressing her soft cheek. God, I’ll never stop being grateful for how much she cares about me. Almost as much as I care about her.

“You need to stop destroying your body like you’re punishing it. There’s nothing wrong with you. Nothing that’s ever happened to your dad or Chloe or Violet or me has been your fault.” Her hand caresses my cheek, sending chills down my spine and bringing me warm comfort all at once. “You saved me. You’re so good, Luke. Way better than you believe.”

My lips crash against hers. Sienna is way better than I deserve.

Her lips mold to mine. She latches onto my shirt and tugs me closer, sinking her teeth into my bottom lip before sucking. I sweep my tongue past her lips, dancing with hers until she moans. I suck on her tongue until she’s putty in my hands.

“You saved me, Sienna. There were so many times I didn’t know how I’d keep going. Then I thought of you.”

Tears glisten in those gorgeous green eyes that captured my heart that first night in the hotel. “If you get hurt, you might not be able to play hockey anymore. You might not get drafted.”

I nod, thumb brushing over her cheek. Her eyes nearly flutter shut. “If that’s what you want, I’ll ease up. Okay?”

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