Page 30 of Inked Obsession

I shoved at him again, then Colton, of all people, was there, pushing my hair back from my face. “Breathe.”

“I’m in Riggs’ parking lot. Anyone can come around and see us.”

Colton shook his head. “They’re not going to. Just catch your breath.”

“You had a panic attack?” Archer asked. “What happened?”

I met Lee’s gaze and saw sadness. Because I had fucked up. “I was at the shooting at Rocky’s.”

“You were there?” Benjamin whispered. “And you didn’t tell us?”

Cold seeped through me, even as my cheeks warmed. “I didn’t know how. It was stupid. I know I should have. That’s how I got hurt. And Lee was the last person I called. I didn’t have an emergency contact in my phone like I should have. So, they called Lee, and he came and picked me up from the hospital.”

“How did you get hurt?” Archer asked, his voice low.

“A shelf fell on me of all things. I pushed some lady out of the way. I don’t remember much else. I think I blocked it out. I remember the blood. They shot Brian. I didn’t really know how to tell you guys that I was there. I’m fine. I just fucked up.”

They looked at me then, and I knew Ihadfucked up. I didn’t know words would help. I just looked at them, and they shook their heads. I let out a breath, knowing I needed to do something,saysomething. Only there wasn’t anything to say.

Chapter 10

Beckett

“Iknow that you’re allowed to have secrets...” Benjamin’s voice trailed off as we sat on my couch. Archer paced in front of us, a frown on his face.

Lee, Jacob, Marc, and Colton had gone home, and I wasn’t sure where I stood with them. I didn’t know what to say. Or, honestly, what Ishouldhave said before I freaked out in a bar parking lot.

Jacob would tell Annabelle, and the rest of the Montgomerys would know soon. And then they would come at me, asking questions, wanting answers. And I wouldn’t have them. Because there really was no excuse. There was literally no excuse for me not telling them what had happened. And yet, I couldn’t.

Because I was an idiot.

“I thought I was going to die,” I said, my voice low.

Archer stopped pacing, his face pale. “And you lost Brian?”

My throat tightened. “Yes. He died right in front of me. Benjamin, do you remember him? He was in a couple of classes with you, too, I think. Back in college.”

Benjamin shook his head, a frown marring his face. “No, actually, I don’t remember him. You had more friends in common with Lee than me. Just like I have a few friends that weren’t really part of our relationship.” He let out a breath, and I rubbed my head, feeling as though I’d fucked up royally. And I had. And I had no idea how to fix it.

“I… I can’t believe all of this happened and we didn’t know,” Archer rasped. “I… I don’t think I can be upset that you kept it to yourself because we all have secrets, but damn it. I wish I’d have been there for you. I wish you’d haveletme be there for you.”

It felt as though Archer was just twisting the knife deep inside my heart, and I had no one to blame but myself.

My twin cleared his throat. “I get how our family is, Beckett. One person finds out, and then the rest do, and then it’s overwhelming, and you can’t breathe. And, honestly, I should hate you for not telling me, for hiding something so big in your life that you’re having a fucking panic attack about it. You freaked out, and you needed time to figure things out. I won’t say I’m not hurt, but I get it.”

I let out a breath and looked down at my hands. “You say you get it, but I don’t.”

Archer sat on the table in front of us. “Why didn’t you tell us? Why do you think you didn’t?”

“Because, at first, it was too much. Then I was keeping a secret and couldn’t break my silence. And then it rolled in on itself and I couldn’t breathe.”

Benjamin tilted his head, studying my face. “And because you needed to figure out what happened with you and Lee, who happens to be a part of it. Once you let the Montgomerys know, they know everything. And if I got the timing right, it was soon after we found out that Annabelle was pregnant. Therefore, soon after the wedding, and when we were trying to figure out exactly how our parents handle us at the job.”

Archer let out a curse. “Plus, Jacob moving out and into Annabelle’s place. Eliza moving out of the home she shared with her husband. Us burying her husband.”

Benjamin continued. “Eliza moving into Jacob’s old place and renting. That whole thing. And then, let’s see, Paige and Colton becoming closer and will they or won’t they get married. Same with Archer and Marc. It’s been a lot in the past year. Of course, we don’t know everything going on with everybody.”

Archer shook his head. “We haven’t been able to spend as much time with each other. I get it. You needed to figure some things out on your own, and you haven’t been able to yet.”

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