Chapter 43

Briar’s POV

I sat in my car outside the diner long after Kylan had left, staring at my phone screen, debating how to even start this conversation.

A trip.

It was reckless. Dangerous, even. I should’ve shut it down immediately. But Kylan was right—I was lost.

And if this person he knew really could help me...

I inhaled sharply and opened the group chat with Kai and Kieran.

Me: We need to talk. It’s important. I’ll be home soon.

A response came almost immediately.

Kai: What happened?

Kieran: Are you okay?

I stared at their messages, hesitating before replying.

Me: Just meet me at the house.

I put my phone down before they could respond, gripping the steering wheel tightly.

This was going to be a fight.

By the time I walked through the front door, they were both already there—Kai leaning against the kitchen counter, arms crossed, and Kieran sitting at the table, watching me closely.

The mom