Aiden’s hand hovered near Maylen’s elbow without touching her. He stood like a shield at her side, steady and warm in the cool night air. Lanry stood a few feet in front of them, breathing like each inhale hurt him.
Maylen could feel the heat of Aiden behind her and the pull of Lanry ahead of her, and her body didn’t know which direction to fall in.
“I need you to talk to me,” Lanry said quietly. “Not to him. To me.”
Aiden’s jaw tightened. “She doesn’t owe you a conversation.”
Lanry didn’t even turn. “I’m speaking to her, not you.”
Maylen held her hand up. “Stop. Both of you.”
The sound of her voice made the ocean feel louder. Lanry looked at her as if she had just opened a door he had been dying behind.
“Maylen,” he whispered again. “Just tell me what you want. Tell me how to fix t
