Page 93 of Fragile Hearts

“Yeah, fuck,” Nate murmurs, shaking his head. “How’s Sloane taking that?”

“Honestly, I don’t know,” I say with a shrug. “She says she’s okay, but I’m still worried about her.”

“I get that,” Nate says. “It can’t be easy for her. And honestly, Owen, she’ll fucking hate that you’ve seen all of this.”

“I don’t care about it though,” I say.

“I know,” he says with a nod. “And deep down, Sloane will know that. But she’ll still be embarrassed, ashamed that this is a part of her.”

“Her mom’s been arrested,” I say, knowing it’s much more than what Nate thinks it is. “She has an outstanding warrant in California,” I add when he gives me a confused look.

“Shit, for what?”

“Manslaughter,” I say, exhaling.

“Ah, fuck,” Nate replies, scrubbing his hand down his face.

“Yeah,” I confirm. “She’s awaiting extradition, and I don’t know, a part of me thinks Sloane should go and see her before she leaves because maybe it’ll be her last chance to. But another part of me doesn’t want her to bother because of everything her mom has put her through.”

Nate walks over, putting a quick hand on my shoulder as he says, “All you can do is support whatever decision she makes,” he says, giving me a small smile. “Sloane will do whatever she thinks is right, and you just need to be there for that.”

“I will,” I tell him. “I’ll always be here for her.”

Nate nods, his smile widening as he says, “You’re good for her, you know.”

Chuckling, I raise a brow. “Yeah, like Sage is good for you, huh?”

Nate laughs. “Yeah, she is. Got real lucky there.”

I let out a laugh. “Even if you did try to pretend like you hated her when she first arrived.”

Nate gives me a light punch to the shoulder. “Fuck off, it was complicated, alright?”

“Sure, sure,” I say, laughing. “And hey, Sloane and I were thinking of having everyone over tonight. Just chill and hang out or whatever. You guys free?”

Nate pulls out his phone. “Yeah, pretty sure we are,” he says as he types a quick message. His phone pings almost immediately, and he looks up at me with a smile on his face. “Yep, we’re free.”

“Cool, tell Sage to ask the girls,” I say. “I’ll message everyone else.”

I pull my phone from my pocket, typing out a quick text to the group chat I have going with the guys.

* * *

Me: Chill at our place tonight...you guys free?

* * *

My phone beeps with confirmations from all the guys, and just as I’m about to put it back in my pocket and start my shift, a message from Sloane comes through.

* * *

Sloane: So I think I will go see her.

* * *

I blow out a breath, both relieved and worried about her decision.

* * *