It's About Time (Blossom Peak #4)(100)

His brows lift. “Sort of?”

I push a hand through my hair. “No. Definitely. I—I’m definitely in love with her.”

Henley’s eyes narrow. “For how long?”

“Honestly, I don’t even know. Part of me knows it didn’t start getting real for me until about six months ago. But Henley…back when we were teenagers? I—I had a thing for her too. But we made that fucking pact, and I…”

Crossing his arms over his chest, he widens his stance. “So why haven’t you said anything until now?”

“Once she started hating me, I just shoved the thought of something more with her down where I never had to confront it.” I shake my head. “And look at how I used to feel about relationships, Henley. The truth is, it doesn’t matter how long I’ve felt something for her because what matters now is that I finally feel like a man who deserves her. And she’s the reason I can say that.” He continues to stare at me. “She checked on me regularly after Tori left, man. For a year. It annoyed the shit out of me, but deep down, I appreciated it. It let me see this side of her that cares for others. And now? Well, I guess I just want you to know that I want to care for her too.”

I’m telling Henley more than I’ve said to Dilynne right now, but he’s one of my best friends and knows me for all of my faults. The only way I can get him to believe my sincerity is by giving him the whole truth.

“That’s a pretty bold statement,” Henley says just as we hear a sound of something knocking on glass. Both of us twist toward the house where we see Rhonan and Fletcher pushing each other behind the front window through the blinds.

“Move out of the way, fucker. I can’t see,” Fletcher mutters.

“There’s plenty of room on that side,” Rhonan fires back.

“ I can’t see Elliot’s face from that side.”

“Well, that’s your problem.”

“You know we can fucking hear you!” Henley barks out as the two figures in the window freeze and slowly back away. He turns back to me and shakes his head. “Fucking idiots.”

“Hey, cut them some slack. They’ve sort of been helping me process this shift I’ve been feeling toward your sister. They’re just as invested as I am.”

His right brow lifts. “Oh. So our other two best friends have known about your feelings, but I haven’t?”

I throw up one of my hands. “Can you fucking blame me, Henley? All I knew is that I didn’t want to have this conversation with you until I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was willing to risk our friendship for Dilynne.”

“And that’s how you feel?”

Straightening my spine, I reply, “Yes. Being with her these past five weeks has cleared the fog from my mind. She’s incredible, selfless, smart, and fucking gorgeous. And I know now why she’s hated me all these years.”

“You’re sure this isn’t just about getting back at Tori?”

“Fuck no. If anything, being with her has made me realize that what I thought was love with Tori was a fucking joke. Love isn’t one-sided. It’s two people showing every facet of themselves to someone else and asking for acceptance. It’s the good, the bad, and everything in between. Dilynne is who I want, and this would be easier if you could support us. But if you can’t? Well… It’s not going to change how I feel.”

He stands there, staring at me for so long, I’m wondering if I said enough. Words don’t mean as much as actions. But part of me knows that w ithout Henley’s support, being with Dilynne isn’t going to be easy.

Hell. Nothing in life worth having ever is though, right?

“I’m not going to lie and tell you that the idea of the two of you together doesn’t make me want to pluck my eyes out of my head,” he finally says as my pulse pounds. “But Elliot? If there’s someone out there that I think can love my sister for exactly who she is, it’s you.”

My shoulders fall as I let out a sigh of relief.

“But if you fucking hurt her, I won’t hesitate to kick your ass. She will always come before our friendship.”

“I know. Like I said, I am willing to risk our friendship to be with her.”

“Exactly. And that’s why I can confidently give you my support because that’s how it should be. She should always come first.”

I reach out my hand to shake his, but when he slides his hand into mine, he pulls me in for a hug instead, back slapping included.

When he releases me, he chuckles. “Does she know how you feel yet?”

“Not entirely because you know how high her walls are. I’ve just been focused on trying to break them down over the past few weeks.”

“You need to tell her.”

“I’m going to, after Motorlux.”

He nods. “Probably smart. Her anxiety always gets the best of her before a show.”

“I’m learning that. Plus, I know the whole Vinnie thing is still in the back of her mind, so right now I just want to make her feel more at ease about that.”

The corner of his mouth lifts. “You’re a good man, Elliot.”

“Right back at you, Henley.”

He shakes his head. “I wasn’t until I met Elodie.” His words are clear and certain, resting between us like gospel.