Page 168 of Twisted Needs

I immediately look away, which is a big mistake. The second I do, her voice softens. “Just…go.”

I blink. “What?”

“You were leaving anyway, so leave.”

“Emelie.”

“Go.” Her eyes narrow. “But if my son comes back into this house crying, I’m blaming you first and then you’re dead.”

Ten years we’ve been coming here, and somehow this is the summer everything finally cracks open. By the time I reach the side path leading toward the beach, I can already hear raised voices. My pulse kicks immediately.

They’re not yelling yet, but I can tell they’re dangerously close. Close enough that every instinct in my body tells me to keep walking. To go stop it because I can’t carry the guilt of watching the man I love be torn to shreds by another man I consider a brother. But I don’t, because I know he can handle it. I don’t have to step in every time for him. Not anymore.

Instead I stay hidden behind a cluster of pines overlooking the water. Below me, Luca and Anders stand at opposite ends of the dock. The distance between them isn’t very large, but it still feels enormous.

“You’ve been avoiding me all day,” Luca starts.

“I haven’t.”

“Bullshit.”

Anders laughs, sounding brittle. “Why are we doing this?”

“Because I need you to be honest with me.”

“I am being honest, Luc.”

“No, you’re not.”

For several seconds neither of them says anything. Then Luca asks the question. The hot, burning question that Anders and I have been waiting for all day. For two weeks. “Are you and Parker together?”

Everything inside me goes tight. The air in my chest, my hands at my sides…Anders goes completely still. Then he says yes, and everything erupts.

Luca closes his eyes and lets out a deep breath. He doesn’t sound surprised, though. It’s more of him finally unscrewing the lid because he’s finally hearing it out loud for the first time. “How long?” Luca asks slowly.

Anders immediately folds his arms. “Does it matter?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Luca scoffs. “Because it matters, Anders.”

“That’s not an answer.”

Luca lets out a frustrated breath. “Then stop making me drag answers out of you. You know I can’t read your fucking mind. Life would be a whole lot easier if I could.”

Anders huffs. “I already answered you.”

“No, you answered one question.”

“And now we’re doing this.”

“Yeah,” Luca snaps. “We’re doing this. It’s happening, mano, so either you’re going to talk or I’ll make you.”

The dock creaks as Anders starts pacing. His hands disappear into his hair. “You know what?” he says. “Forget it.”

Luca shakes his head. “That’s not how this works, Andy. Just fucking talk to me.”