But things were more complicated for Jack. “You should live here,” he said to Lily, forcing a smile to hide the heaviness in his chest. “But I have my brothers to take care of. I can’t just pack up and leave.”

“They can stay here too,” Raven said swiftly. “You know those boys are my family, just like—”

“It isn’t that simple. My mom’s going to come back someday soon, and she won’t be okay with them living somewhere else. Not unless she gets to live here too.” Jack gestured to the beautiful estate, the twisting branches, and the house that rose up like a castle in the early morning mist. “Plus, we have Diego to think about. He’s started to patch things up with his parents, but nothing’s settled yet. Flynn won’t send him back home until he’s sure it’s safe.”

“He can stay here too.” The words came easily. Raven didn’t even blink before he offered them, and Jack’s heart squeezed as if Raven had cradled it in his hand. “There’s room for everyone.”

“You don’t have to do this.”

“I know I don’t have to,” Raven said. “If I had to, it wouldn’t be nearly as fun.” A soft smile then, the kind that rounded his cheeks and brightened his eyes. Jack wanted to accept his offer. He wanted to believe he could, but he’d been so certain, for so long, that he didn’t deserve this.

A family.

True love.

“Things are really complicated, Raven, and if people find out we’re all staying together, they might try to tear us apart.”

A shrug, so casual. Raven didn’t seem the least bit concerned. “Let them try. If we all get emancipated, we can take care of each other, and if they try to take away the boys, we’ll prove this is a safer environment—”

“Raven, stop.” Jack shook his head, tears welling in his eyes. Raven wanted to take care of him. Jack understood that. He wanted to take care of Raven, too. But Raven had lost his last remaining parent, and he was probably feeling really unsteady right now.

Jack couldn’t take advantage of that.

“Why don’t you focus on getting emancipated? Once the house is yours, you can decide who you want living here with you.” Jack smiled softly at Lily, who was watching the encounter with bright eyes. “You and Lily were a family once. You can be a family again, and I can take care of—”