Page 78 of Forgiven

Hunter let him go. “Thank you.”

Dylan blinked up at the big man. “For what?”

“Trusting us enough to tell us the truth.”

Dylan sniffed. “Why are you guys being so great about it? Iliedto you.”

“I don’t exactly tell everyone about my shitty childhood,” Jag pointed out.

“No, but you don’t cover it up with lies, either. Everyone knows you keep your past a secret and that’s fine. But lying? Lying isn’t okay.” Dylan hugged himself.

“I guess the real question iswhydid you lie?” Kyrone said.

“I told you—no one wanted me. I thought if you all knew the truth, that none of you would want me either.” He hunched his shoulders. “It sounds stupid and pathetic now that I’m saying it out loud.

“Fear is rarely rational,” Jag said softly. He looked close to tears himself.

Kyrone wrapped his arm around Jag’s shoulders and gave him a swift hug.

“Does Callum know?” Hunter asked.

“Yes.”

“And he’s still around, isn’t he?”

Dylan nodded. “Which is why I felt brave enough to come clean to you guys. We’re…” He swallowed. “Still friends, aren’t we?” He looked from one man to the next, wide-eyed and worried.

“Of course we are!” Kyrone said.

“You bet,” Hunter said, patting him on the back.

“Always,” Jag whispered in a shaky voice.

“Is everything all right in here?” Mac asked from the doorway.

Dylan wiped his eyes. Jag turned away to face the mirror.

“We’re all good,” Kyrone said. “Just bonding.”

Mac looked at them all thoughtfully. “Hunter, can you, Logan, and Taylor take the second slot rather than the third?”

“Sure,” Hunter said.

“Good with us,” Taylor called from the other side of the room.

“Is that long enough to pull yourselves together?” Mac asked, looking at Dylan and Jag.

Dylan nodded. It was the first time he’d actually been glad of anything Mac had done.

“If it’s not, I’ll sort something out. Just give me enough time, okay?”

“If we’re on third now, shouldn’t we be heading out to the floor?” Kyrone asked.

Mac shrugged. “The first hour is always slow as far as private dances go, so if you three don’t mind missing out, neither do I.”

“Thanks, Mac.”

“My pleasure.” Mac clapped his hands. “But I do need dancers on the stage, so let’s get going, guys.”