I am flooded with thousands upon thousands of memories that contain Loren Hale. In each one, some part of our bodies touch. Our hands. Our legs. Our hearts. Subconsciously, he guides me to the rooftop where he waits.

“I’m not doing this for him. I’m fucking doing this for me.” He points at his chest. “Because I can’t live with myself knowing that I could’ve helped him and I did nothing.”

“Will you be happy?” My smile stretches my face. I can’t contain it. “I already am.” I’ve proven to myself that I could reach this point without a crutch. I’m sober. I’m healthy. I’m so goddamn alive. Ryke smiles back, like he’s proud of me. “It’s yours, little brother. I believe in you.”

CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN LILY CALLOWAY

“Missed opportunity, Connor,” Lo says with a growing smile. “What’s that?” “One of your fans has the username: ConnorCockbalt.” Lo tilts his head at him. “Hate to tell you this, but it’s better than yours, love.”

“You’re not dying today,” Lo tells his brother, pointing adamantly at the ground. “We’re all alive right now, Ryke. Maybe in a year, Dad won’t be around, but it doesn’t mean we’ll stop moving. Out of everyone, you taught me that. Don’t look back. Just go forward, run through quicksand. So pick up your feet, man. For one, it’s your birthday. For

“Nearly every day of our lives you’ve wondered one thing.” Sex darts into my brain. And his smile lights up his face, knowing full-well the dirty paths of my mind. “You’ve wondered when your superpowers will kick in.” His words flush my thoughts, and I focus on his intense, passionate gaze. “Have they?” I ask softly. “According to your timeline,”

CHAPTER SEVENTY LILY CALLOWAY

“My best friend—” he pinches my cheeks “—has turned me on since I hit puberty. I love everything about her, and there’s not one day that I go without thinking, I’d like to fuck that girl.”