Page 77 of Shame

“Is it?”

I don’t answer that.

And my silence speaks volumes—and maybe Sam has always seen that I am capable of the absolute worst.

His face pales. “You cheated on her.”

“Yeah. It’s done. In the past.”

“Fuck you. I should—” He drags in a breath. “And Hazel knew?”

“I don’t know what she knows. That’s between her and Grace. They need some secrets, maybe. It’s hard to be in love with Preston men.”

Sam shakes his head. “I spent the last year waiting for Grace to leave you because she had outgrown your relationship. And you’re telling me she was working on repairing it? In secret? To protect you? You don’t deserve her.”

“Of course I don’t. But I’m damn glad she doesn’t agree.”

“And we’re not fucking Preston men. Not really.”

“Well, yeah. Sure. But in nature versus nurture, at least in my case, nature didn’t do me any favours.”

“Mine either.” Sam growls. “You know what? I was so mad at you for so long. But it was really Dad.”

“Me, too. But I turned into him. That’s fair.”

Sam makes a face. “Do you ever think about the fact that we don’t know who our real fathers are? For sure?”

“Nope.” I grab him by the shoulder and squeeze. “It doesn’t matter. We have each other.”

“Grace make you go therapy?”

“I go willingly.”

“Took me a while.”

“It’s good, though, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Luke?”

“Yeah?”

Sam stands and shoves his hands in his pockets. “I love you.”

Ah, fuck it. I haul him in for a tight hug. “I love you, too. So fucking much.”

“And if you ever hurt Grace again, I’ll murder you in your sleep.”

“Never, brother. I promise you, that will never happen.”

He claps me on the shoulder and we go back downstairs.

As soon as I hit the bottom of the landing, Grace’s gaze is locked on my face.All good, I mouth.

I love you, she says back. And she says it with her whole body, lighting up.

I press my hand to my chest.I love you, too, little bird.

THE END

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