Page 44 of Heartfelt Goals

“Kendall, leave your sister alone,” Dustin said evenly, his voice calm but firm.

Laurel turned to him in shock. Of all people, she hadn’t expectedhimto come to her defense.

“It’s not a secret if it’s a private matter,” Dustin continued, eyes flicking toward the rearview mirror. “What happens in our marriage is our business. When Laurel is ready to share, then I’ll know. Until then, it’s hers to keep.”

Laurel sucked in a breath. Her throat tightened as a mix of emotions tangled inside her—relief, gratitude, and something deeper, something more complicated that she didn’t have the energy to untangle right now.

“What?” Kendall held up her hands, looking far too innocent. “I didn’t say a thing.”

“Kendall… so help me?—”

“Ipromise! I didn’t tell him.”

Dustin pulled into the garage, shaking his head. “Kendall barely speaks to me,” he pointed out dryly. “I’m hoping that changes if I talk to Boucher about the team and she finally realizes I’m part of the family—not some reject. Now, can we go up, or should we stay here and discuss whatever this mysterious secret is?”

“Nope!” Laurel said quickly, practically throwing open her door. Kendall followed without hesitation, thankfully taking the cue to drop the conversation.

The elevator ride was eerily quiet. Laurel stole a glance at Dustin, but he wasn’t looking at her. Instead, he stared straight ahead, his gaze locked on the elevator doors as if they had personally offended him.

Her stomach twisted.

She hated this feeling—the weight of unsaid words pressing down on her, the suffocating silence that stretched too long between them.

As soon as the elevator doors slid open, Kendall pushed past them with an eager bounce in her step, brandishing her key like a trophy. Shelovedbeing the one to unlock the door, relishing every bit of independence it gave her.

Fine. Let her have it.

Laurel was just grateful to get her inside and in bed. Maybe, if she was lucky, all of this would be forgotten by morning.

“It’s late,” Dustin said as they stepped inside, his voice gentler now. “Do you want some hot tea, Laurel? Kendall?”

“Ugh. What are you—ninety?” Kendall wrinkled her nose in disgust. “No. I’m gonna take a juice box and?—”

“Ugh,” Dustin mocked, mirroring her tone perfectly. “What are you—two?”

Kendall gasped, eyes narrowing. “Har… har…”

“Gotcha.”

To Laurel’s disbelief, they shared a grin as he handed her sister a juice box, like some kind of peace offering.

“Don’t stay up too late,” he added casually. “I’m making French toast for breakfast.”

“So I should sleep in?” Kendall sassed.

“No, I’m telling you to go to bed without saying the words—because you don’t need me acting like your big brother,” Dustin shot back smoothly, smirking. “I’m just saying that I make a mean French toast. Thick slices. Berries. Syrup…”

“Good night,” Kendall interrupted, waving him off as she disappeared down the hall, juice box in hand.

Dustin exhaled, shaking his head. “Why do I feel like a firework dud right now? That was too easy. Too uneventful.”

Laurel crossed her arms, smirking. “Makes you wonder, doesn’t it?”

“Very much so,” he admitted, his lips twitching into a small smile. He glanced at her. “Did you still want that hot tea?”

She hesitated for only a second.

“…Yeah. I’d love a cup.”

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