Marked by Fate

5

As we settle in to watch the movie, Caden growls at his phone.

“What’s up?” I ask.

He doesn’t answer—just hands it to Ryan. Ryan stares at the screen, blinking in disbelief, before tossing it to Fiona like it burns.

I lean over as Fiona taps into a Snapchat story from Craig. Music thunders through the speakers. It’s loud, obnoxious, pulsing with bass.

Craig laughs into the camera, holding it up in what looks like a human bar. Emma’s there. She’s straddling some random guy, kissing down his neck while Craig cheers them on.

My stomach lurches.

Fiona’s eyes well with tears. Her chin quivers as she throws the phone back like it’s cursed. “I can’t… I can’t look at that,” she whispers.

Caden looks just as pissed as the rest of us.

“How the hell is he even in a human bar?” I snap. “He looks old. You all do. But not twenty-one old.”

“He’s got a fake ID,” Caden mutters. “Emma got it for him. So she could drag him around when she wanted to play human.”

“All while we’re sitting here raising her baby,” Fiona breathes. “How could she…”

“Send me the video,” I say. “And anything else you’ve got. She’s walking a long, lonely road—but she’s not dragging Craig with her.”

My chest burns with anger. I used to trust her. She used to be someone who would kill for me. Now? She’s a stranger. A selfish, reckless monster.

“She already has, Mum,” Caden says, working on his phone. “Craig’s along for the ride—like it or not. He’s loyal to her. I mean really loyal. He’d do anything she asked.”

My phone dings. The video and files come through. My jaw clenches.

“He’s right. He’s long gone,” Fiona murmur.

“I’m not ready to give up on him yet,” I say. “And I know Matt won’t either.”

She leans against me, quietly sobbing. But the grief feels deeper than usual, like something primal is twisting inside her.

“Maybe it’s because they all grew up together?” Layla suggests, watching Fiona carefully. “Could be a deeper bond.”

“It’s going to be okay,” I say, wrapping my arm around her. “We’ll get him through this.”

“But why should we have to?” she chokes. “Why should we be the ones dragging him out of this pit? She needs to go. I’m so sick of her hurting him.”

“That’s not up to us, Fiona. I wish it was. We know what’s best for him, but he’s still tied to her. He wants to fix it. We have to let him try.”

She nods, wiping her face just as the elevator dings.

The door opens—and the stench of alcohol and weed floods the hall. Then comes the sound of weeping. Not gentle crying—sobbing, broken, drunken howls.

I bolt to the TV room door as Drake, Matt, and Ben stumble in, clinging to each other like a shipwreck crew.

“She did it again, Fee!” Ben cries, collapsing into the chair beside her. “She hurt him again!”

He yanks Matt down into his lap, throws a leg over his waist, and cradles him like a teddy bear.

“It’s okay, Matty. You’ve got me. I’ll always love you. Fiona! Tell him you love him!”

Fiona, still wiping her tears, bursts into a strangled laugh. “Of course I do. Matt knows I’m always here for him.”

Ben sobs harder. Matt just blinks up at them, totally out of it.

“It’s not fair, Fiona. We should kill her.”

“No, Ben!” Fiona snaps. “You’re not killing anyone!”

Drake watches from the doorway, glassy-eyed and swaying. I reach for his hand and give it a squeeze, but he just tilts his head at the scene.

“What is it?” I ask.

“Their love… it’s so pure,” he murmurs. “Like my love. And they love me. And I love them. But now they love… them. More than they love me.”

Layla snorts as I lean closer. “Did y’all smoke something?”

“I don’t smoke,” he says proudly. “But Reggie said it’d be fun. So we did. But I don’t feel anything. I feel fine.”

“Mmhmm.” I guide him to the couch. He frowns, squinting at me, then grabs my face.

“Lilly? When did you get here?”

“Oh hell, he’s fried,” Caden laughs from across the room.

Drake smooshes my cheeks between his hands. “You’re so pretty, my Lilly.”

Then he throws a finger in the air like a preacher. “Mine! All mine!”

Layla wheezes from the couch.

Drake flops onto me, sobbing. “That butt-face hurt my friend! I’m gonna kick that butt! I don’t like her anymore!”

Ben gasps, eyes lighting up. “Ohhhh! I know! We should do that waxy pube thing! With the pull-y strip thingy! And then—stingy majiggy!”

Matt groans. “She used to scream for me. Now she hates me. Why does my mate hate me, Fioooonaaaa? I love her so much!”

“No you don’t!” Ben shouts. “You’re not allowed to love her anymore! I’m keeping you now!”

My jaw drops.

Layla lunges forward to hear the tea. I look at Fiona, who’s just watching them in quiet horror as Ben strokes Matt’s face.

“So pretty,” Ben whispers.

Drake sobs harder. “Their love is so pure.”

“Oh hell,” Caden groans. “I’m going to bed before this gets any weirder.”

“I called it!” Ryan smirks, pointing at the boys. “You owe me thirty bucks!”

“Called what?” I ask, kicking the door shut to keep them from escaping.

“That they’re in love with him,” Ryan says.

My eyes flick to Fiona, who goes red instantly. “I wouldn’t say ‘in love’…”

“Oh please,” Ryan snorts. “What would you call it, then?”

“I’d say I appreciate what he has to offer. And I love… a lot of things about him.”

Ryan points at the two lying side by side, gazing dreamily into each other’s eyes.

“They’re 0.2 seconds away from getting naked.”

Then he turns to me. “And you need to let me out before I watch my dad do despicable things to my uncle.”

I cackle, lifting my foot from the door. Ryan bolts out.

“Is he okay?” Fiona asks Caden.

“Oh, he’s fine,” Caden says, still chuckling. “He just doesn’t want to witness anything.”

Drake drops his head back and starts to snore. Matt and Ben pass out beside him.

Fiona stares at me, cheeks flushed. “Is this for real?”

I raise an eyebrow. “Looks like it.”

“We… we can’t help it,” she mutters, covering her face. “You’re not mad?”

“Why would I be mad?” I frown. “It’s complicated, yeah, but whatever’s best for you guys—I support you. Always.”

She exhales like she’s been holding it for days. “Thank the heavens. I’ve been dying to tell someone. Ben’s never said it out loud before. But I’ve felt it. From the start. And I love him too, and I don’t want him to think I don’t…”

She trails off, trying to compose herself.

“Fiona,” I say gently. “He knows. He’s always known. But you’re right—Emma’s still a factor. There’s history. A child. He might not be ready to let go, even if he should.”

She nods slowly, wiping her face.

“You’re right. Just… give it time.”

“Exactly.”

I yawn and stretch. “You’re welcome to take the spare room. But I need to sleep.”

“I might stay a bit. I just want to… watch them a little longer.”

I nod and peel Drake’s arms off me. He groans, blinking sleepily as I stand.

“Bed,” I whisper. “You coming?”

He grunts and closes his eyes again, already snoring. I chuckle and head off, too tired to move him even if I wanted to.