Chapter 23

I clutchedmy throbbing head as I shuffled into the kitchen, the bright morning light like daggers in my eyes. Coffee. I needed coffee.

I filled a mug to the brim and took a long, scalding sip, leaning against the counter for support. The bitter liquid burned my tongue, but already my foggy mind felt a bit clearer.

The sound of footsteps made me look up. Boston walked in, his hair messy and his eyes were bloodshot. He gave me a hesitant smile. "Morning."

All of a sudden, it all rushed back to me. I replayed the events that happened last night—dancing with Reese, and the overwhelming jealousy that swallowed me whole when I saw Boston dancing with Caroline. Reese taking me home—and the embarrassing things I probably said.

"Shit," I groaned, rubbing my temples. The memory was vivid, as if it were happening all over again. I could almost hear Boston's voice, hesitant yet earnest, confessing something that seemed to tip my world on its side.

For years, I had imagined what those words would feel like coming from him—the boy who grew up tossing a baseball around next door. It was as if the universe had finally handed me a gift I had stopped believing I would ever receive. Little me, the girl who used to peek out of the window just to catch a glimpse of him, would be utterly beside herself. She'd be jumping on the bed, her pigtails bouncing, cheering at the top of her lungs because Boston—gorgeous, kind Boston—finally liked her back.

But it was just me, a much older me, trying to navigate feelings that were a complicated mix of past dreams and present realities. "Why when I'm finally moving on, finally happy, did he decide to throw a wrench in it all?"

Was it possible that Boston's feelings were genuine, untainted by rivalry? Or had I become just another prize to claim in their ongoing competition? Is this real, or is this just another game to him? Another competition with Reese?

"Great timing, Boston," I whispered to myself, resting a palm on the counter. "Really, just perfect."

He risked a glance my way, as he reached to grab a mug from the cabinet, trying to gauge my reaction. But I kept my expression carefully neutral, taking another sip of scalding coffee.

"About what I said..." he cleared his throat. "I had too much to drink. I shouldn't have blurted all that out." He stared at the coffee pot, unable to look me in the eyes. The silence stretched between us.

"Let's just forget about it, okay?" he said. "No hard feelings. I'm gonna give Caroline a chance and take her to the ball. She's excited about it."

"Sure, if that's what you want." I nodded, placing my cup on the countertop.

"So we're good?" he asked hopefully.

"Yeah. We're good," I replied evenly, turning my gaze away before he could see my expression.

Before the awkwardness could stretch any longer, we heard footsteps down the hallway. Parker emerged looking disheveled. His hair was sticking up at every angle. He squinted against the morning light streaming through the windows.

"Ugh," he groaned, making his way slowly to the fridge.

A giggle sounded behind him, and Willow followed him out from the hallway, wearing one of his t-shirts. Her blonde curls were a tangled mess. Boston and I exchanged a look, then burst out laughing.

"Well, well, look who finally got the girl," Boston teased Parker, who grinned sheepishly.

"What can I say? The Hartford charm runs deep," he joked back. Willow flushed pink but couldn't hide her smile.

I shook my head in amusement. "I am deeply, deeply disgusted. I don't know whether to be angry right now or excuse myself, so I can go puke in the bathroom."

The lighthearted moment made me temporarily forget about the awkward encounter with Boston. I was a little surprised, a little disturbed, but after the emotional roller coaster of last night, I was glad someone else had a good time.

"Let's have a little talk, friend," I said to Willow, which signaled to Parker and Boston that we needed to talk privately.

Parker and Boston headed toward the porch, leaving us to have a private moment.

"So..." I said, raising an eyebrow while glancing at Willow. "You and my brother, huh?"

Willow chuckled, her cheeks flushing pink. "Yeah, I know. It kinda just... happened."