Page 119 of If You Need Me

“I don’t normally get my heart broken.”

“We should come down,” Isaac declares.

I hold up a hand. “I love you, and I appreciate you, but I need some time to feel all the feelings. And apparently Sam knew all the things but sat on that knowledge until now.” I rub my temples. “How come Moms didn’t see this?” They were the ones I thought would see through this charade.

“Because every time Dallas came home to visit, he told everyone in town how incredible you are, and news travels in Huntsville, as you know. But then Brooklyn and Sean’s engagement happened and tipped the scales,” Sam says. “Though who knows how long those two will stay together.”

“And Dallas—who, by the way, is a great guy with somepoor impulse control—saw an opportunity to protect you from the bullshit that would be the high school reunion. He’s had a thing for you forever. It seemed like the win of all wins. Until he realized the engagement put unnecessary pressure on your relationship,” Isaac adds.

“He said he’s not the right guy for me.” I fail to keep my voice from cracking at the end.

“Is he the wrong guy for you?” Sam asks.

“I don’t know.” But not being with him hurts more than I ever imagined it would.

“Don’t you, though?” Isaac chimes in. They’re the reason I was such a master debater. “He adores you. You adore him back. We all see it, Hemi. It might have started as a lie, but somewhere along the way it became the truth. Probably earlier than even you realize. Is it backwards? A little. But you’ve never looked as happy as you did at your engagement brunch.”

“What if his feelings change? What if down the road he decides he wants someone more laidback like him?”

“He’s loved you since you were kids. His feelings aren’t going to disappear,” Sam assures me.

“You are so loved, Hemi, by so many people.” Isaac smiles softly. “We saw it at the party when all your friends showed up for you—not out of obligation, but out of love. Dallas doesn’t want to be without you. Do you want to be without him?”

“No.” I miss him so damn much. I love the way he always opens the door for me or brings me lunch. I love how kind he is to everyone he meets. I love that he would do anything to protect the people he cares about. But the three wordsI love youare terrifying.

“Have you told him that?” Sam asks.

“No.”

Isaac jumps in. “Have you told him you love him?”

I sigh.

“So you’re not being honest about your feelings. This all makes sense now.” Sam nods knowingly to Isaac.

“Little sister, we love you to the moon and back,” Isaac says.

“Truth,” Sam agrees. “You were the best thing to happen to our family, Hemi. We still remember when Moms got the call about you. The second we met you, we all fell in love. I know our family isn’t conventional, and that Isaac and I are a lot to deal with, but we needed you.”

“You’re going to make me cry again.”

“We can handle it if you do,” Sam assures me. “You are brilliant and beautiful and a badass, and you always have been. You’re a fighter. But right now, you’re letting fear win. Take the time you need to get your head where it needs to be, but tell Dallas how you feel. I guarantee it’ll change everything for the better. And then you won’t be sad, and Isaac and I won’t have to hide a body.”

I laugh. “I love you.”

“We love you back, sis,” Sam replies.

“Seriously, though, Sam and I have the perfect spot if we ever need it,” Isaac adds.

“I know you do, and I adore you for it.”

“We’re here if you need us. For anything.”

We end the call, and I sit there, holding my phone against my chest. They’re right. I’m letting fear win.

CHAPTER 40

DALLAS

---