Page 24 of Shattered Mind

She pulls back and grips my face between her hands. “You are as much my daughter as Savannah is. We love you like our own, and you will always be part of this family. Do you understand?” she asks, and I give her a blubbering nod.

God, I’m a fucking mess.

“Good. Now, tell me about this place. I can’t wait to see what they do for Halloween.” I let out a watery laugh before sitting back and telling her all about this place that has quickly become home.

CHAPTER 11

GRAYSON

My family cheer, some applauding as Hunter devours his new fiancées mouth as though there’s no one watching. Mine and Savannahs parents rush towards them, pulling them into hugs and offering their congratulations.

I move silently to the side and grab a beer. I twist the cap off and toss it in the trash before stepping up beside my brother, offering him a small smile. “Bet you’re glad you made the right choice, huh?”

He doesn’t look at me as he responds, his eyes remaining focused solely on Savannah as she shows off her ring. “There was no choice. She’s it for me.”

“I’m happy for you, Hunter. You deserve it,” I tell him honestly, taking a pull from my beer. My brother finally looks at me, and I hold his stare, hoping he can see the truth in my gaze.

“You deserve happiness, too, Gray. You’ll get it someday,” he says, and my eyes immediately search for those familiar blue ones.

I lift my beer towards my lips. “Maybe,” I mutter before throwing the rest of it back and walking towards the house without another word.

I open the refrigerator and pull out another beer before leaning back against the island.

Hunter’s wrong. There is no happiness in my future. No grand proposals. Love is an emotion I’m not sure I’m capable of feeling anymore. I know I love my family. I loved them before I knew what it felt like to lose someone. But I won’t allow myself to willingly love someone again. Because loving with the potential of losing them is something I don’t think I could heal from.

The back door opens, and Liv enters giving me a small smile before opening the fridge and pulling out a bottle of wine. Her scent engulfs me as she brushes past me, heading towards the cupboard that holds the wine glasses. She reaches up on her tiptoes, and my eyes are immediately drawn to her smooth, tanned thighs where her dress has risen.

I look away from her legs as she pours herself a glass, filling it to the top. Liv turns to look at me, taking a large mouthful and I raise a brow. “Thirsty?”

She empties the glass before responding. “Drowning my sorrows.”

I tilt my head. “Your sorrows?”

“My best friend is getting married and having her second baby, and now I have to live alone,” she pouts, refilling her glass.

“Hmm. Should’ve known you’d be the selfish type. Have you ever thought that if you weren’t so exasperating, you wouldn’t be alone?” I ask, my tone dripping with sarcasm. Her glass stills halfway to her mouth, and she narrows her blue eyes at me. I know before she even speaks that I’m about to get my ass chewed out.

“And perhaps if you weren’t such a tetchy, unbearably miserable prick, you wouldn’t be alone either. You have no fucking idea who I am and calling me selfish just provesexactly how little you know about me, so do me a favour and keep your opinions to yourself, because I promise you, no one fucking asked for it.” Liv snatches the bottle from the side and storms past me, hitting me with her shoulder as she passes and letting the back door slam closed behind her.

And I stand in the same spot for long minutes after she goes, staring at the closed door in shock mixed with a little awe.

***

The parents’ headed inside at around nine with Reign so that Hunter and Savannah could celebrate their engagement with the rest of us, and somehow Noah convinced everyone that we should take the party to The Boot.

The place was packed when we arrived. With tourist season coming to an end, it seems everyone has gathered for one last hurrah before they head home in preparation of the colder months. The dance floor is full of wannabe cowboys and buckle bunnies on the prowl for their next victims.

I’m so far out of my comfort zone it’s not even funny.

I narrow my eyes as I watch Liv grind against Bella, her head thrown back with a laugh. Her sun-kissed skin glistens with sweat under the dim lighting as she leans forward, placing her hands on her knees and fucking twerks. I pick up my whiskey and throw it back, relishing the burn as it slides down my throat.

Fuck my life.

Noah throws himself down into the seat next to me with a groan. “I don’t know how they’re still goin’,” he says,his forehead shiny with a thin layer of sweat from dancing with the girls.

“Not their first rodeo, brother.” I lift my hand and signal April. She brings us another round of drinks before rushing back to the bar and serving the customers waiting.

With it being so busy in here tonight, April is rushed off her feet. Savannah has ignored her protests and jumped in a few times to help, despite it being her engagement night.

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