Chapter 154

When Luca said he was going to Spain, I didn't expect him to disappear for a whole week. I also didn't expect him to take Edward, leaving me to endure Edward's Madrid Instagram stories all week.

Not that I was complaining; I had a relatively free week to catch up on work, and I certainly wasn't eager to face my boss after that incident in my room the other night. I had no answer for him.

Part of me craved sleeping with him again, but my stomach flipped unnervingly whenever he was near—a clear sign of attachment. I couldn't get attached to a man who only wanted something physical. Yet, I couldn't bear the thought of never having him again. So, I had a week to decide.

Friday arrived, and I was still undecided.

"I have a party tomorrow, and you should come," Ronan said, throwing himself onto my bed, interrupting my reading.

"What?" I frowned. He never invited me to his parties.

"What?" he mimicked. "It's Saturday night. I'm going to The Blaze; you should come."

The Blaze. The hotel's name evoked memories of Cornell, and then Luca, reminding me of his offer. I took a deep breath. "I don't think so," I smiled, "but thanks."

Ronan shrugged, rumpled my perfectly made satin sheets, and stormed out before I could yell at him. Why were younger brothers like this? Seriously.

Sighing, I bookmarked my novel. I'd called Alex yesterday, but he hadn't returned my call. I missed my twin terribly and worried about him.

Checking my phone for messages from Alex, I was surprised to find one from Edward instead: "Just got back from Spain. So much fun. Totally jet-lagged, but let's hang out tomorrow and catch up?"

I groaned. He was nice, but his obsessive fanboying over my dad had bored me. I wouldn't do that again.

Instead of replying, I went to bed. For the first time in five days, Luca wasn't on my mind. Instead, I had a strange tightness in my chest and inexplicable anxiety.

I tried to ignore it the next day, but around noon, a text arrived in our family group chat—from Alex, along with a picture: "I got married."

My screams echoed through the house. My mom and dad—surprisingly home—rushed into my room. My father, clutching a gun, searched my room in horror, relaxing slightly when he saw I was unharmed, then stiffening again at my tears.

"Alex got married!" I sobbed. "He got married and didn't even tell me!"

"What nonsense," my father commented incredulously, peering at my phone.

"Did he?" my mom asked sadly.

"Freckles" Dad sighed.

"Oh," Mom's eyes filled with tears. "He told us via text?"

"We weren't even important enough for an invitation?" My lower lip trembled as reality hit. I was frozen, stuck in my teenage mindset of "me and Alex against the world," but he'd moved on. He'd built a life, a family—without me.

I had to suppress my shock to calm my mom and dad (who wanted to fly to Philadelphia and shoot his son).

Ronan joined me after lunch with ice cream, and we spent an hour complaining about Alex.

"Attachments are pesky," I declared. "I'm never getting attached to a man again."

"Can you not talk about Alex like he was an ex-boyfriend?" Ronan frowned. "It's wildly disturbing."

I smacked his head. "He's my twin, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. I get it; you two have a bond nobody else has, not even me."

"Is that what you think?" My voice softened. "That we have a bond you don't understand?"

"Of course," Ronan replied nonchalantly, taking another bite of his pistachio ice cream. "Growing up, I learned that twin telepathy was real. You guys finished each other's sentences. It was adorable as kids, now it's… creepy."

"Ron, you're our little brother," I frowned. "Alex and I always have room for you. Always. We weren't a duo; we're a trio."

"You mean that?"

"Yeah, of course." I ruffled his hair. "And, if it means anything, you and I spend more time together now than Alex and I did. We're closer."

"Really?" He grinned. "Does that mean you're coming to my party tonight?"

"No!" I groaned, sinking into my pillow. "What's your obsession with me going?"

"I feel like we don't have any common hobbies. I party; you work, garden, read… I figured this could be our bonding time." Ronan batted his eyelashes.

I eyed him suspiciously but sighed. "Fine," I grunted. "If it means that much to you, I'll come."

"Yes!" Ronan punched the air. "Be ready at seven. Love you!"

He rushed out to make a call, and I shook my head. He'd been acting strangely lately. While I was clueless about Alex's life, I could still be a part of Ronan's.

I texted Edward: "Sure, I'm going to a party with my brother and his friends at seven if you want to join."

Like I said, attachments are pesky. They would be if I'd agreed with Luca. Luckily, I'd just refused him.