Becker's POV...

Greya wants to be with me—me. Of all the normal guys she could have, she's choosing me.

I've always dreamed of having her by my side, but it was never supposed to be real. Eventually, she'll realize how hard it is to be around someone like me. Then she'll leave, just like everyone who was supposed to love me has left.

My real father, whoever he is, didn't want me when I was just a baby. And my mother... she must've thought giving up on Alec and me was easier than keeping us.

I've always believed I was unwanted—ruined by my own demons. But somehow, Greya sees through the cover and isn't afraid to read the pages.

When her hands cradled my head and she whispered, "I've got you," it took every ounce of control I had not to fall apart in her arms. That was the moment my heart stopped belonging to me. It's hers now. I only pray she keeps it safe, because if she breaks it, rock bottom is where I'll stay.

"Do you want something to drink or eat?" she offers gently.

"Thank you, but I'm fine," I tell her. I don't need her to worry about me. She already has so much responsibility with Chase.

She sits down beside me, and I reach for her hand. Her soft, slender fingers fit perfectly into mine. It's such a simple gesture—holding hands—but it's the one I can handle. When I glance over, she's smiling. Knowing I put that smile there makes something warm stir in my chest making me smile too.

"I love when you smile like that," she says, her eyes lighting up. "You should do it more often. It makes you look even more handsome."

Her words make my smile widen. Before I can stop myself, her thumb grazes my cheek.

"When your dimples show, I know it's real," she adds softly.

My body reacts instantly to her touch. "I feel like I'm dreaming," I admit, my voice low.

"Why do you feel that way?" she asks, her thumb making small circles over my hand.

"I don't have much to offer," I confess. "I'd give you the world if I could, but my life's stuck in this endless torment. I don't want to drag you into that."

The pathetic, vulnerable part of me isn't ashamed to show through, not with her. I only hope she doesn't see me the way I see myself.

Then she does something that catches me off guard, she gently tilts my chin until my gaze meets hers. I don't shy away this time. Instead, I grab her wrist and guide her hand to the side of my face. I'm addicted to the way she cradles my head—how tender it feels, how intimate.
My eyes close as I lean into her touch, soaking in the unfamiliar peace of it.

"B," she says softly, "you are so talented. You're incredibly smart, good-looking—" she smirks—"musically gifted, protective, and kind. You have so much to offer. I know we have a lot to figure out, but I'm ready for all of it, the good and the bad."

Her words hit me harder than she'll ever know. My arm snakes around her shoulders, pulling her into me until her head rests on my chest. I hold my breath, waiting for my body to rebel, but it doesn't. When her arm wraps around my waist, I finally exhale and let her in.
Releasing a long sigh, I murmur, "I want to be ready for all of it too."

We stay like that for a while, quiet, steady, just breathing each other in. She doesn't push for more. She lets me have time to conquer my fear, and it's working.
Eventually, I pull back. "I wanted to show you something."

I reach into my pocket and pull out a folded document.
Her eyebrows knit together as she reads it. "Becker... this says—"

"It says Jack isn't my real father," I cut in, bitterness creeping into my tone. "My mother let a monster adopt me and left us alone with him."

Her eyes widen. "Did you know?"

"I found out yesterday. My birth certificate doesn't list a father, but Alec's does. Jack is his father."

"Oh, B..." she whispers, her face full of sympathy. "I'm so sorry. What are you going to do?"

"Don't be sorry, Love. None of this is your fault." I drop my head. "I want to confront him, ask for the truth, but I need to wait for the right moment."

"You need to wait until he's sober," she says quietly, almost to herself.

"Hey." She reaches for my hand, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Whatever you decide to do, I want to be there for you."

Her words hit me like a punch to the chest. I look at her, speechless, my instinct to protect her already kicking in.
Before I can protest, she says exactly what's running through my head.

"I know you won't want me there. You'll try to protect me from him, even if it means putting yourself in danger. But it worries me, B. You always sacrifice yourself to keep others safe."

She's right. Of course she is. I can't let her live with the same fear I've known all my life.

"Please don't worry about me, Love," I say gently, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. My fingers graze her skin, and she shivers.

"I've always worried about you, Handsome." The nickname makes me smile despite myself. "Ever since seventh grade science class—when you walked in with a black eye, and the next week your jaw was bruised. I watched you sit in the back row, avoiding everyone's touch. I didn't know what was happening, but I worried. Even when I was drowning in my own loss, I still wondered what was making you so sad."

She thought about me. All this time, I admired her from a distance, not realizing she'd seen right through me. She'd lost both her parents, was raising a child at thirteen—and she still cared about me.

I swallow hard. "I'm sorry it took me this long to figure out what an idiot I was. I thought teasing you would push you to be better. I wanted you to be the best soccer player the school ever had. I wanted you to get everything you deserved. But now I realize how wrong that was. What I should've done was just... be there for you."

"You've always been there for me, in little ways and you're here now," she says simply. Then she smiles a soft, steady smile that feels like forgiveness. "And since we're being honest with each other, we'll figure out how to navigate us together."

"I like that idea," I say, smiling back.

I stand, even though every part of me wants to stay. "I should get back home, in case Jack comes back. Alec's alone."

She stands too, and I lean forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Promise me you'll let me know before you confront Jack," she says quietly. I can tell she wants to say more—tell me she's scared—but she stops herself.

"I promise, Love," I whisper before leaving for the night.