Page 19 of The Lies We Told Ourselves

“Hmmm,” she hummed, still not looking at me. “It’s not so bad to be changed by your situation. Something happened to me. Something awful. I…I got pregnant with Cade when I was sixteen. Our parents worked together to separate me and Trace. Trace’s mother even got his brother, Gage, to help her. He never forgave himself and, as soon as he was old enough, he left and never looked back. Trace and Booker lost their brother, and Trace never knew his son existed. They convinced me that hewanted nothing to do with us. I lost ten years with him because of them.”

“That’s awful!” I gasped.

Booker had said something about his parents not being good people, but that was truly evil.

“It is what it is. Sometimes I think it might have even been for the best.” She could see I was about to argue with her, and Delaney patted my arm lightly. “I know missing out on all that time was terrible. And for Trace to have missed out on all of Cade’s life was truly horrific. But we’re different people now. We’re stronger because of the things we’ve been through, and I’m not sure we’d have survived if we hadn’t had that time to grow.”

Delaney had obviously had time to work through this thing that had happened to them, and it was good to see that she was on her way to a good place. She was proof that it was possible.

My situation, compared to hers, didn’t seem so bad. I was one bad dating decision from losing myself, but I pulled myself out when it turned south. I’d escaped where many before me hadn’t been able to.

“What’s it like living in Willowbrook?” I asked, changing the subject.

“It’s strange and unusual and honestly the best.” Delaney laughed. “I was so reluctant to come back here, but it’s the best place on earth. They look after their own around here. We have our problems just like anywhere else, but they won’t abandon you if you need them.”

“That must be nice.”

Delaney hummed in agreement, and we went back to watching the guys. Every time Cade made even a slight movement, Delaney flinched. I ended up reaching out and taking her hand because I couldn’t take the stress of watching her suffer through it.

“How come you don’t like horses?”

She shrugged. “It’s stupid. I went out riding as a kid and got dumped into a patch of stinging nettles. I’ve never been able to look at the damn things ever since.” She turned to look at me with a wince. “I can see them plotting against us every time I meet their gaze.”

I swear I tried not to laugh. My lips pursed together, and she squinted even harder before sighing. “Go ahead. Laugh at my pain.”

And I did.

It burst out of me in joyous peals, and then it just kept on coming. After a minute, Delaney joined in as well, and we laughed until my side ached more than I could ignore.

“Oh my god, I needed that so bad.”

“You’re welcome. Do you want something to drink? We should totally raid Booker’s pantry. He always has the best snacks, and I know all his hiding places.”

I glanced over at the guys and found Booker and Trace watching us intently. I found myself locked in his gaze, unable to look away. There was just something about Booker that drew me to him. He had this intensity that should have scared me, yet it didn’t. If anything, I knew this man would do everything in his power to keep me safe.

I just didn’t know why.

Val yipped and darted out of the training ring Cade was riding in, moving closer to the house with a bark.

Delaney surged out of her seat in panic, but the horse that Cade was riding didn’t even flick an ear at the sound.

“Val!” Booker barked. “Leave it. Doc’s fine, Delaney. He’s used to her yapping.”

Delaney nodded grimly, her eyes not leaving her son. “I knew I shouldn’t have come to watch this, but Cade was so excited. What’s she barking at, anyway?”

“I don’t…” My eyes moved to Booker’s faithful friend, and as they did, they drifted across the driveway leading to the house and the shiny sports car glinting in the sun as it slowly made its way across the gravel. “No,” I whispered in denial.

My body locked up in fear as I took in the black sports car that definitely wasn’t suited to the roads around here. It slowly made its way around the potholes and crept closer to the house. Closer to me.

He’d found me.

I should have run farther. I shouldn’t have stayed. I knew I wasn’t out of his reach, staying so close to the city. Only by putting states between us would I ever be far enough away.

“Val!” Booker barked, sounding closer than he had before. “With me.”

The dog skipped to Booker’s side as he stood strong in front of the house. His shoulders were squared as he stood ready to defend. “Trace, take Cade and the girls inside,” he shouted at his brother, locking eyes with him as he did.

Trace pulled a confused Cade off the back of the horse and jogged toward us, with Cade giggling under his arm.

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