Page 127 of Beautiful Storm

Well, that’s a little bit funny and I can see what they’re trying to do. Reed and Dylan anyway. And since they know I’m reading the messages…

Luke: Did Summer write that text, Dylan? You’re not that funny

Reed: What a way to join the party! Welcome to your support group

I update Easton’s number in my phone just as he responds.

Easton: I’m out

Luke: No you’re not or you’d have left the group

Easton left the group

Luke added Easton

Luke: Stop being a dick, East. You heard them, I need your support. I’m better already

Not a lie. I’m definitely better. But the guys can’t really help me with the current situation. Unless one of them knows how to make things go away.

Luke: Anyone know how to make people forget articles they’ve already seen? Specifically people related to me

The second I press send, a sinking feeling hits me in the gut. I shouldn’t be worried about my parents; I should be worried about Amelia’s mom. She can’t find out like this.

I itch to call Amelia again, but don’t want her to panic unnecessarily. I need to stay calm. I need to think things through; I need a plan. And I need some air.

The guys keep firing messages with Dylan and Reed trying to brainstorm ideas while Easton stays mostly quiet, occasionally popping in to tell them their ideas suck. And when I step out of the locker room, I stop reading, calling my agent back instead.

But as I suspected, there’s not much I can do. I can either ignore it, or make a statement, and either way, I’m not making that decision alone.

As I walk through the halls on my way outside, Lainey calls again, and I suck in a breath before answering.

“Is Amelia okay?” she asks the second I say hello, and the love in her tone makes me smile.

“I think so. She texted me to say she was going to bed, but she joked around, so I’m hoping that’s a yes.”

“You didn’t call her?”

“I tried.”Should I have tried again?

“You really like her, don’t you?”

“She’s alright.” I smile as I picture her rolling her eyes when the reality is that I don’t think I like her; I think I’m in love with her.

“You don’t have to explicitly say it for me to know, Luke.”

“Good. Can we move on to the bigger question here?”

“What’s that?”

“How much trouble I’m in with Mom.”

“Oh, she’d disown you except that she wants a grandchild and she thought she’d have to wait for Ryan.”

“Did you confirm it?”

“God, no. I am staying the hell away from that. But you should call her.”

I let out a long sigh and sink against the wall. “I will. I promise.”

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