Page 107 of Through the Storm

He spins toward me. “That’s your defense?”

“She broke things off.” I shake my head. “I don’t know why.”

Declan laughs once, sharp and disbelieving. “Shebroke things off?” His eyes flash. “Then you probably fucked up somehow. I’ll ask again. What. Did. You. Do.”

“That’senough,” Jack growls at him.

Declan turns on him. “She’s my sister.”

“And this is my house,” Jack replies evenly. “If you want answers, you’re going to listen.”

“Okay, Dec. Relax a bit for me.” Ella approaches him like he’s a wild animal.

Mateo smirks, unable to help himself. “Careful, Declan. You’re starting to sound like a guy whose sister cried because of a stupid asshole.”

Leo nods thoughtfully. “Yeah. Wonder what that must feel like.”

Declan’s head snaps toward them. “Stop it with that shit. You know it wasn’t the same.”

Ella rolls her eyes. “Leave him alone, guys.”

He exhales hard, chest heaving. “Just… tell me what happened. She seemed really happy with you.”

That one hits.

“I honestly don’t know,” I say. My voice cracks despite myself. “It feels like everything changed when I told her I was excited about the baby, about being a dad.”

Declan stares at me. “Then why is she hiding in her room like something tragic happened?”

“Maybe she finally realized she doesn’t want a dumb jock to be her kid’s dad,” I try to say with a joking tone. That’s always been my concern, that she would realize one day that I’m not as amazing as she’s always thought I am. I’m not half as smart as she is, and the only thing I’m good for is football and jokes.

“You are not a dumb jock. There are different kinds of intelligence, so stop it with that already,” Ella huffs.

“Okay,mom.” I roll my eyes. My whole family has always tried to make me feel better about not being good at academics. The “different kinds of smarts” speech is one I’ve heard many times before.

“You got me through the worst year of my life, Ben. That’s not something a dumb person does. You got me to laugh again,” Ella tells me honestly.

I put my arms around her. “You would’ve done the same.”

“She’s right. You’re not that bad,” Declan adds reluctantly.

Finally, Jack steps forward, grounding the room by sheer presence. “Right now,” he says calmly, “Katy might just need some space.”

Declan’s shoulders sag slightly, anger bleeding into fear. “Yeah. Maybe.”

Jack looks at me. “Ben?”

“I’ll do anything she needs. I won’t go to her unless she asks.”

Declan meets my eyes, something dark and protective burning there. “Okay,” he says quietly. “But don’t give up on her yet.”

“Of course not.”

He backs toward the door, never breaking eye contact. “If she ends up all alone…” His voice drops. “I won’t forgive you.”

The door closes behind him, and no one moves.

Leo finally exhales. “Jesus.”