Page 136 of Blush Crush

So civilized compared to how we usually consume food. Naked and wrapped in sheets while we snack on whatever is available.

Cole groans appreciatively as he starts in on the food. I don’t even care if he’s exaggerating, I soak it all in regardless.

We talk about our days, nothing particularly exciting, but I listen with rapt attention anyway. Mostly because it’s easier than acknowledging the dark cloud that’s been edging closer all evening—the conversation we need to have, the one I keep cowardly pushing to the back of my mind.

I get the sense the reason Cole hates his birthday will break my heart, and I’ve never been great at broaching difficult subjects.

We finish eating and together we clean up, which isn’t much of a task since I’m a clean-as-you-go kind of cook. Cole grabs a few strawberries to take with us upstairs before stretching his hand out to me and clasping mine in his.

My steps grow heavier with each climb of the stairs. I’m practically sluggish in my reluctance to bring any of this up. Cole looks over at me from over his shoulder and there’s a tinge of confusion in his expression. He knows there’s something going on. Something I’m avoiding.

Once we’re in the bedroom my hands turn clammy, tingles of unease sweeping my spine.

“Okay, something is up,” Cole announces. “In the span of five minutes you’ve gone from perfectly fine to silently freaking out about something. What’s going on?”

Thank goodness I never gave law enforcement a go, I’d be terrible at concealing anything if this is how plainly Cole is able to read me.

“Nora came to see me today,” I croak out, my mouth drier than a desert.

His brows raise expectantly, as if he’s waiting for more of the story. “Did she say something to upset you?” he cautions.

“No.” I shake my head quickly. “She told me—she told me your birthday is tomorrow.”

His face pales unnaturally. “Oh,” is all he says, and my stomach twists up into the tightest knot.

“She suggested we do something to celebrate,” I try to say brightly, but even I can hear the fabrication behind my words.

“I don’t celebrate my birthday.”

His tone is harsher than I’m used to, and ripples of dread unfurl out of me, transforming into a full-body wince.

“I’m sorry,” I rush out. “Nora suggested it, and I really know nothing. It’s none of my business how you spend your birthday.”

He drags a frustrated hand through his hair, scrubbing it down his face. The anguish in his eyes is unmistakable and I hate myself a little for even bringing this up. I don’t need to know the reason, his entire demeanor speaks volumes.

“I always spend my birthdays with Miles.” His head drops, gaze falling to the floor. “At the cemetery.”

The name bounces around in my head. It’s familiar but I’m not sure why. I’m fairly certain Cole has never mentioned a friend or relative by that name, but somewhere in the recesses of my mind, I know it’s significant. I just don’t know why.

And then it strikes me all at once, my heart constricting at the realization. He said cemetery. “Who’s Miles?” I swallow.

“My twin brother.”

CHAPTER 40

Cole

SOME KIND OF MAGIC

Ariana looks like she’s going to pass out.

I thought she knew about Miles. Maybe not all the details, but at the very least aware of who he was.

I was wrong.

Our age difference never feels significant. Probably because I’m not the maturest. But she would’ve been just a baby when the accident happened. Enough time to pass for it to not be the most talked about topic in town. Enough time for the story to have faded long before she was old enough to hear it through the town gossip mill. All but erased from conversation, as though not speaking of him might somehow protect those of us he left behind.

And now the years separating us feel an ocean apart.