Page 66 of Back to Willow

She hums, with a focused frown on her eyebrows before asking, “What are you going to do for your birthday, then?”

Instead of answering, he looks at me with an expectant gaze. I’ve thought about doing a small party for his friends at the house, but I haven’t told him anything yet. I wanted to speak with the parents and invite them first—to make sure I’ll have some guests.

“I’ll probably throw him a party back at home for his school friends,” I give in to his puppy eyes, answering. His eyes sparkle with happiness, and I can’t help but add, “IfDylan behaves until then.”

The megawatt smile falters, and we can’t help but chuckle.

After that, we all sit down in a booth, and Shilah quickly brings us some food. Jake and Dylan spend the entire time in their typical banter, lifting my mood. In their presence, I forget all of the troubles and problems that plague my mind. They make it seem easier, even if just for a little while.

“Hey, kiddo!” Hannah calls from the counter. “I have a surprise for you back here. Do you want some dessert?”

He nods eagerly and looks at me in question, but as soon as I nod in agreement, he jumps out of the booth and runs towards Hannah. Is he a toddler or a starved dog? Sometimes, I can’t find the difference.

As soon as he’s out of earshot, Jake nudges me with his shoulder, bringing my attention to him.

“So what’s new, sis?” he asks with curiosity oozing out of him.

“Nothing much, uh—” I pause to collect my thoughts. “After that encounter I told you about, I have tried to talk to him but couldn’t. And ran away…again.”

“Lo,” he sighs, shaking his head negatively. “You not telling me or Nana, I understand. But sis, think about Dylan. Liam deserves to know.”

“I can’t talk about what truly happened; I’m not ready.”

“Have you thought about going to a therapist? It might help…”

Jake’s right. He’s always right, but the mere thought of talking about it makes my throat clog up. The panic always rises so high my brain gets foggy and my heartbeat skyrockets. I get enough of these as it is. Diving into them willingly? No, thank you.

I just want to forget.

As if my brother just read my mind, he mutters, “There’s no forgetting it, Lo. You just learn to live with it.”

I nod but don’t answer, and Jake keeps quiet for a bit. At the far end of the diner, Hannah is giving Dylan a chocolate mousse, helping him eat it without getting it on his shirt. We both watch them in silence for a few seconds, the heaviness of the previous conversation still hanging around us.

Talking about Liam and all of this is the last thing I want to do today. The goal is to enjoy the little time I get to spend with my only brother before he has to go back home. But apparently, he has other plans.

“You need to tell Liam,” he mutters, pain lacing his rough voice.

“About what?” I ask, playing dumb.

He scoffs. “About Dylan; what else?”

“Jake…” I sigh, not really knowing what to say anymore.

Rationally, I know what I need to do. But my heart has been so battered before that I don’t know if it could take any more pain.

“He deserves to know, Lo. The sooner the better, otherwise, he won’t forgive you,” he says with a soft tone.

“The worse has been done. He won’t forgive me either way…”

“You don’t know that.” He shakes his head. “Look, sometimes love is strong enough to overlook all of that and forgive. If he loved you the way I know he—”

“Stop.” My voice comes out shaky, cracking right at the end. “Please, Jay. I don’t—”

“What if he sees you around town with Dylan, huh? What then? That boy is the carbon copy of Liam. He’ll put two and two together, and—”

“Mummy?” My shoulders sag at the sounds of Dylan’s voice, interrupting us.

Thank goodness.

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