They all smile. I smile back, but it falters, fear rushing through me. “But first, could I just have a—” Gavin throws his arms around me. “Hug,” I whisper. Axel steps up next, his hand heavy on my back. Ryder, then Ren, circle around me, then Seb and Aiden, and finally Oliver, who clasps my neck. “Love you guys,” I whisper. “We love you,” they tell me, loud and strong, and that strength, that truth, pours through me, fills me up, gives me the courage to pull back and stand tall.
