April’s POV
The days blurred toward New Year’s: forced smiles over board games with Tyler, Robert’s jokes landing flat. Then my phone buzzed from an unknown number.
Saw you sneak out of the garage. Slut.
My stomach dropped.
Another: Bet Ashley would love to know.
I glanced around the living room. Lauren was reading quietly. Ashley sat on the couch, smirking at her phone.
Ice flooded my veins.
Next message: He f***s you good, doesn’t he?
I showed Leo in the hallway, hands trembling. “Someone knows. We have to come clean before this blows up.”
His face hardened. He pulled me outside to the back porch. The cold air bit sharply. He draped his coat over my shoulders, wrapped his arms around me from behind, his heat seeping through despite everything.
“Shh,” he murmured into my hair. “
