Page 79 of Taste of Surrender

“I’m really sorry. Looking back, I know I should have told you. Maybe I had my own hang-ups about it, and I assumed you all would be disappointed if who I was affected the band in any way.”

Jesse nodded. “Okay, I guess I can understand your reason when we were younger, but we’ve made it now. Why the hell didn’t you tell me about the two of you instead of sneaking around?”

“Do you remember that day in the locker room when that kid Dustin was giving Jasper a hard time?” Malachi asked.

I cringed, remembering how embarrassed I felt knowing Malachi had witnessed that humiliating moment.

Jesse shrugged. “I think so.”

“You told him you needed to approve of anyone Jasper wanted to date,” Malachi continued.

“Sounds like something I would say.” Jesse let out a small chuckle.

“Well, I happened to have a small crush on Jasper back then.”

“You did?” I asked, my eyes widening because I had no idea. “I didn’t think you saw me like that until the camping trip a year later.”

Malachi smiled at me. “That’s when I finally told you, but it started long before the night we kissed.”

Jesse’s brow furrowed. “You kissed during our camping trip? Where the fuck was I?”

“Sleeping next to us.” I winced.

“You sleep like the dead, dude,” Malachi added.

“Whatever,” Jesse grumbled. “But you still haven’t answered my question. Why didn’t you tell me you wanted to be with my brother?”

“You always gave me a hard time about moving from girl to girl. I didn’t think you would approve of Jasper dating someone with a reputation like mine.”

“Guess we’ll never know because you didn’t trust me.” Jesse rolled his eyes.

Olivia cleared her throat. “I think we can appreciate why you didn’t tell anyone before, but that doesn’t mean Jesse wasn’t hurt by the fact you didn’t trust him enough to share that part of yourself. And Jesse, as much as you’re upset with Malachi for not confiding in you, let’s not forget how poorly you reacted when you found out.”

Jesse shifted uncomfortably, his gaze dropping to the floor. Olivia continued. “You lashed out and couldn’t control your anger to the point you punched your best friend. We all makemistakes, but you need to take some accountability if you want to move forward.”

“Olivia’s right,” Malachi agreed. “I messed up, and I’m sorry about that. I should have trusted you more and been honest with you.”

“And I’m sorry for hiding our relationship from you,” I added. “We wanted to be the ones to tell you and never meant for you to find out the way you did.”

“I’m sorry too,” Jesse sighed. “Obviously, the way I handled everything only proved you had a reason to worry about my reaction.”

“Thanks.” I gave him a small smile. “I hope going forward you can accept that we’re together and be happy for us.”

“All I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy. If being together does that for you, I’m all for it.” Jesse stood and pulled me in for a hug.

“Really?” Malachi stood.

“Really.” They did their bro hug thing. “But if you hurt my brother. I’ll kick your ass.”

“You can try.”

We all laughed, and it felt good knowing we were all okay.

24

MALACHI

The next fewdays were a whirlwind. Silas agreed to go to rehab, and in the wee hours of the morning, the guys and I drove him to a place in Malibu so we could avoid the paparazzi. The facility was perched on a cliffside, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.