When I cock my head, she amends, “I swear to you, any alleged shenanigans, that may or may not have occurred upon the invasion of your personal space, were not my idea.”
I deliberate, eyeing her intensely. When she doesn’t falter, I lift my chin in approval and slide my eyes to Adam.
He chuckles while shaking his head. “Nope. Try again.”
His thumb flies to the side, openly incriminating Mr. Tall, Dark, and Broody.
Lukas? What?
I dismiss him entirely and reroute my silent accusation back to Genny. She laughs then jerks her head in Lukas’s direction.
When given no other choice, I finally glance at him. With brows raised and hands shoved deep in his pockets, the subtle grin on his face is all I need. Although slight, it’s an open confirmation of his guilt, and his total lack of shame for his actions.
Why would he do that to Tommy? But as I begin to ask the question, the door of the theater flies opens and the sound of boisterous laughter distracts me. My eyes glide smoothly over Lukas’s shoulder and lock on the same group from earlier. Adam tenses, and even though it amounts to only a miniscule shift in his demeanor, its effects are immediate.
Suddenly, I’m in his bedroom, present in the exact moment his entire world is upended. Bonds severed, trust violated, and love forsaken, the impact of all three losses whirling so out of control, there’s nothing left for an innocent heart to hold on to.
I feel the pain carving into his heart, into mine. Fury. That’s what fills me until it’s no longer containable. I angrily shoulder past my group and stomp toward Seth’s. It’s time to know who you destroyed, asshole. Several people turn to watch, and they look amused…briefly.
My swift steps soon come to a grinding halt, and completely disregarding the six-foot-something men towering over me, I inquire, “Which one of you is Seth Wright?”
I’m seething—my fingers are curled so tightly against my waist they bite into my skin. The heads previously aimed at me swivel on their necks toward the person in question. With eyes the color of honey and just as warm, Seth studies me. He raises his hand. Apprehensively. As he should.
He is rather easy on the eyes. Dark brown hair styled into an off-center peak, equally dark lashes framing light brown eyes, and a grin that’s surprisingly captivating.
And strikingly sincere.
Jerk.
“That would be me.” He steps forward just as the sound of several scampering feet from behind alerts me to the Wildflowers’ presence.
“Chloe. Stop,” Adam says, breathing heavily.
As soon as Adam’s words leave his mouth, Seth’s entire body seizes in recognition, and his easy smile wanes. I watch from below as his eyes find Adam’s, fully expecting a spiteful glare and an explosion of intolerant slurs to be directed at my friend. And with my hands balled into fists, I’m more than ready for them. I’ll gladly take on all these assholes. Badass Chloe, it seems, has resurfaced.
But none of that happens.
Seth’s shocked stare softens into undeniable admiration, and his lips curve into a shy smile. He shakes his head in subtle disbelief, then seemingly transfixed by Adam’s presence, wordlessly bypasses me with a single step in his direction.
I turn, my fury dissipating. What’s happening?
Adam’s jaw is set as he stares at the ground, refusing to look at Seth. Undeterred, Seth continues walking until they’re standing Nikes-to-Docs, and when Adam further denies Seth his eyes, Seth lifts his arm.
Lukas tenses next to me, no doubt watching Seth’s reaction for any sign of violence, his entire body on high alert. But when Seth tenderly cups Adam’s cheek and strokes it gently, Lukas relaxes. Genny moves to my side and in unison, the three of us step to the left to better see their faces.
When Adam’s eyes finally rise, they’re full of unshed tears. His chin quivers and he swallows deeply, the pain of Seth’s betrayal so clearly evident in his tortured stare. Several seconds pass, neither saying a word as they stand in silent conversation.
A tear escapes, coursing its way down Adam’s cheek, and he looks away, ending their exchange. But not for long, because as soon as his head shifts downward, Seth captures his face with his other hand and forces Adam to meet his eyes. Seth’s gaze is intent as it peruses Adam’s features. It’s as though he’s in awe that Adam is standing in front of him.
Then he levels his eyes with Adam’s, his voice trembling when he speaks. “I couldn’t find you.”
I draw in a sharp breath. Oh my God.
Four simple words.
“I couldn’t find you.”
Adam’s parents lied to him. One look in Seth’s tear-filled eyes is enough—the truth is undeniable.
He’s been looking for Adam all this time.
Adam takes a slow breath. With his hands still framing Adam’s face, Seth leans forward and gently grazes Adam’s lips with his. Adam hesitates at first, but when the sincerity of the gesture can no longer be questioned, his entire body relaxes into the kiss. It’s tender and patient—Seth wordlessly conveys what he’s been denied the chance to say. It’s as if each brush of their mouths is offering an apology. When Seth ends the kiss and says, “I’ve missed you so fucking much,” I see resolve in his eyes. A promise.
A sniffle beside me draws my attention. I glance sideways to see Genny, tears cascading down her face, and let me just say, she’s not a pretty crier. I bite my lip to stifle a giggle and wipe my own eyes before taking her hand into mine.
Without thinking, I do the same on my other side, my delicate fingers curling around Lukas’s muscular hand. His entire body bristles, probably surprised at the uninvited contact. With tears still brimming, I look at him and smile, hoping he’ll accept my invitation. His eyes linger on mine, searching. When he seems to find whatever he’s looking for, he grips my hand securely and with surprising intimacy, threads our fingers together. A hint of a smile, and I grin reassuringly in return.
Cheers erupt from behind us. I look over my shoulder to where Seth’s group still stands, and my grin widens when I see every single one of Seth’s friends with the same dopey, love-struck grins plastered on their faces. One of them even winks and tosses me a thumbs up, and I laugh before turning back around.
Glancing back at the happy couple now woven together in a tight embrace, a thought occurs. I just wasted ten of my hard-earned dollars on a stereotypical movie with cheesy lines when the most beautiful love story is happening right now in front of my eyes, unscripted and absolutely free.
I’m still grinning when Lukas leans down, his eyes glued on the boys in front of us. The warmth from his cheek radiates against mine—I try not to hyperventilate, because this is Lukas—and he whispers, “That’s why.”
My brows draw together in confusion, but he answers before I even have time to ask. “I’ve never seen love, but I’m pretty sure the look in Seth’s eyes when he saw Adam was exactly that.”
Still uncertain, I turn my head slightly, just enough to meet his eyes. My breathing stalls. He seems to struggle to find the words, but after a frustrated shake of his head, he manages to continue so only I can hear. “You deserve to be with someone who looks at you the same way. With absolute reverence, each and every time he sees you, from the very first look right up until the last. Tommy didn’t, and he didn’t fight for you when challenged. He just let you go.” He shrugs. “So yeah, I pelted him with popcorn because he didn’t deserve the privilege of sitting next to you in that theater.”