Chapter Ten

Tilly

The smell of freshly baked cookies fills Ryan and Paisley's house, but it does nothing to lift the heaviness in my heart. I sit on the couch, knees pulled to my chest, staring blankly at the wall. It's been a week since Duke told me we needed a break and the ache of it hasn't subsided. I feel broken like a part of me is missing.

"Hey, you want some cookies?" Paisley's voice pulls me from my thoughts. She walks in, a plate piled high with warm chocolate chip cookies. Her smile is bright, but I can see the concern etched in her features.

"No, thanks," I reply, my voice barely above a whisper.

She sets the plate down on the coffee table and sits across from me. "You've barely eaten anything for the last week. Talk to me."

"I just…I can't stop thinking about Duke."

Paisley's expression softens, and she leans in closer. "Why were you so determined to keep it a secret?"

I shrug, feeling the tears welling up again. "I don't know. Maybe I didn't trust it. I didn't trust us. When it didn't work I didn't, I didn't want Duke's relationship with Ryan to be damaged."

"Why didn't you trust your relationship?" she presses gently.

I swallow hard, the truth spilling out, "I've never seen a long-term relationship work out in my family. Not a single one. The odds just weren't in our favor."

Paisley nods, understanding washing over her. "But you and Duke have something special, don't you? You can't let fear keep you from being happy."

"I thought I was protecting myself," I admit. "But now it feels like I only made things worse."

Just then, the front door swings open, and Ryan walks in, his energy filling the room. "Hey, ladies, you won't believe how bad practice was today. Coach called Duke off the ice. I don't think I've ever seen that happen." He kicks off his shoes and heads toward us.

I freeze at the mention of Duke's name, my heart racing.

"Hey, Ry," Paisley says, glancing at me with concern. "Maybe tone it down a bit?"

Ryan looks from her to me, his smile faltering. "What's wrong, Tilly?"

The tears spill over and I can't hold back. "I messed up, Ryan. I kept Duke a secret and now he doesn't want me anymore."

Ryan's expression shifts, confusion turning to concern. "What do you mean a secret? Have you and Duke been seeing each other?"

I nod, fresh tears streaming down my face. "It all started at that masked party at Halloween. We, um, hit it off. Then things just kept going. We were together and I didn't want to tell you because I thought it would be easier."

"You thought hiding it would be easier?" Ryan asks incredulously. "Tilly, that's ridiculous."

"I know!" I sob, my heart breaking all over again. "But it felt safer. I didn't want to risk losing you or making things complicated. Duke was always so understanding, but I could tell he wanted to be honest. And now he's done with me."

Ryan runs a hand through his hair, the frustration clear on his face. "Duke is a great guy, Tilly. I have no problem with the two of you dating and wouldn't have if you had been honest with me from the beginning. You need to make this right with him."

"I don't know how," I whisper, feeling lost. "He said he can't keep hiding. He needs me to be ready to be honest about us."

"You love him, right?"

I nod, the truth hitting me like a wave. "I do love him. But I don't want to mess this up again. What if I fail?"

Ryan steps forward, his expression serious. "You won't know unless you try. You can't let fear hold you back. Duke deserves to know how you feel."

I wipe my tears away, taking a deep breath. "But what if he doesn't want me back?"

He will," Ryan insists. "You need to talk to him. No more hiding."

The weight of Ryan's words settles in my chest. I don't want to regret not fighting for Duke. He's worth it. I take a deep breath, determination coursing through me.

"I'll talk to him," I say, my voice stronger.