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“That was different I ith her, too” I let out a frustrated breath “And I don’t knohy you’re givingto quit her detail, if she chooseshim as a friend

“Yeah, I will,” he says “But irl and I keep you Fucking sue reedy”

I sh, man I don’t need to add to it”

He laughs “Shit, I can’t believe you’re h” His humor fades and the air sobers for a moment “Either e lose each other, don’t we?”

I fit a toothpick between my lips “She’s worth it”

Akara nods “Yeah, she always has been”

Tires crunch gravel, and we both turn to watch the security vehicle drive down the road The SUV parks near ours Sulli hops out, waves to Gabe, and the car heads back to where it came

She blows out a breath Her hair billows in the wind and she hugs her ar her into my body, warm her, but Akara and I are rooted in place

“Sulli—” Akara starts

“Before you two say anything,” she interjects and holds up a hand “I want you to know that the time I spent with both of you in Yellowstone has been undeniably some of the best times of my life And whatever happens after today, just know I love you both” Those words rush through me

I glance to Akara Is he going to say it first?

He looks to

She smiles “Oh hey, I know you both love h to not hurt one another by saying it” She eyes irl you’ve ever fallen in love with, huh, Banks?” She says it very fucking proudly

Hate to ruin her good ti fool

Her smile fades “What?”

“You’re not the second, Sulli”

Her fingers touch her lips, confused “Wait, but you said you’ve been in love once before”

“Yeah” I nod strongly “With you, mermaid”

“All the way back then?” The realization chokes her up for more than a second

I nod, but I don’t want to say anything else This isn’t a hand I’ It’s just the truth, but I can feel Akara’s tense energy beside me

She looks between us “I care about you two too er That’s why ” She exhales before she says, “I was going to choose your friendship”

Was Past tense

My blood ices over I don’t knohether to be fucking destroyed or overjoyed by this news

I bite on my toothpick “So in that scenario, we both watch you be with souy?” I wonder