Present time

"So basically," Nate began, leaning back on the couch with a lazy grin, "Mason's been a total simp for you this whole time."

His words hung in the air, and I couldn't help but let out a small laugh despite the heaviness in my chest.

"Yeah, that's what I'm getting too," Selena added with a teasing smile, her eyes flicking to me knowingly. "Like, absolutely whipped."

"What a cutie," Amy chimed in, clutching one of Emily's couch pillows like it was a teddy bear, her expression soft and dreamy.

"I knew he was a good catch," Emily said, crossing her arms with a smug nod. "I told you this summer, didn't I? The way he looked at you? Textbook rom-com material."

"Totally," Selena agreed. "Now all you have to do is make Aiden see it. Easy-peasy." She shot me a wink.

But her words didn't feel light or funny to me. My heart sank. If only it was that easy.

"It's not as simple as it sounds," Emily said gently, sensing the shift in my mood.

"Yeah," I murmured, my fingers picking at the hem of my sweater. "My brother freaked out. He punched Mason. In front of everyone."

The room fell quiet for a moment, the weight of my words settling in. The memory was still raw, still vivid. The way Aiden's face had twisted with anger, the way Mason had stood his ground, refusing to fight back. And then the fallout-the yelling, the accusations, the fractured trust.

"It wasn't just a freak-out," I continued, my voice quieter now. "It was like every fear Mason and I had about being honest came true. Aiden didn't just get mad. He exploded. And I-" My throat tightened, guilt and sadness clawing at me. "I couldn't stop it."

"You couldn't have stopped it," Emily said softly, her tone firm but kind. "Aiden's temper is on him, not you."

"But we kept so many secrets," I argued, glancing around the room. "I didn't just betray Aiden; I lied to all of you. Mason and I... we thought we could handle it on our own, but we were wrong."

Amy reached over, squeezing my hand. "You're not the only one who kept secrets. We all kinda suspected something was up this summer. I mean, the way Mason acted around you? He wasn't exactly subtle."

Selena nodded, her lips twitching into a grin. "Honestly, I'm just mad you didn't let us in on it. We would've helped cover for you!"

That earned a few chuckles, but Nate leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he cut through the lightheartedness with a serious question.

"What now, though?" he asked. "Like... where do things stand with Mason? And Aiden?"

I hesitated, biting my lip. "Mason and I... we're trying to figure things out. But Aiden-he's not speaking to either of us. He said Mason betrayed him. That I betrayed him." I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat growing. "He said Mason's supposed to be his best friend, not... this."

Nate frowned. "Man, that's messed up. Aiden can be stubborn, but this feels extreme."

"What about Emily?" Nate said suddenly, his gaze shifting to her.

Emily blinked, looking surprised. "What about me?"

"Well, I mean," Nate started, gesturing vaguely. "Aiden listens to you. For some reason, you're like the only person who can talk him down when he's on one of his rants. Can't you, I don't know, work some magic?"

Emily's eyebrows shot up. "Oh, trust me, I've tried. I've tried so many times." Her voice was laced with frustration. "But Aiden's dug in. He won't hear me out. It's like he's already decided that Mason's the villain and you're-" She stopped herself, her expression softening as she glanced at me. "-caught in the middle."

"I know you mean well, Em," I said, forcing a small smile, "but Aiden doesn't just see Mason as the villain. He sees me as the instigator. Like this is all my fault for... I don't know, for existing."

"It's not your fault," Selena said firmly. "And it's not Mason's either. Aiden's being unreasonable, and someone needs to tell him that."

"Easier said than done," Emily muttered, crossing her arms.

"Well, someone's gotta do it," Nate said, his tone light but his expression serious. "If Aiden keeps this up, he's gonna lose both of you. His best friend and his sister. And honestly? That's on him."

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, no one said anything. Nate was right, but that didn't make it easier.

"I just hope he comes to his senses," Emily said finally, her voice softer now. "For everyone's sake."

I nodded, my heart heavy but a flicker of hope sparking somewhere deep inside.

Later that night, as I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, I replayed the conversation in my head. The laughter, the teasing, the encouragement-they'd all meant well. But the truth was, I didn't know if Aiden would come to his senses.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, breaking me out of my thoughts. I reached for it, my heart skipping when I saw Mason's name on the screen.