Page 49 of The Lilac River

The door to Downtown Bar & Grill banged open. Cassidy came out first, followed by Gunner and Wilder, both looking far too amused for the tension crackling around us.

"Everything okay out here?" Cassidy asked, eyeing the standoff.

"Told you to leave them be," Gunner muttered. "Private conversation."

Cassidy shot him a look but turned back to me. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," I said, even though my heart was hammering so loud I was sure everyone could hear it. “I need to arrange an Uber with Delaney.”

"Come stay at my place," Cassidy offered quickly. "Spare toothbrush, PJ’s. And I live above the bookshop, so no waiting for an Uber."

I hesitated. Did I really want to crash on someone's couch tonight? But going back into that bar or waiting around here with Nash watching me like a hawk...not a chance.

I nodded. "Just need to text my mom."

"Yeah, because you always make sure to tell your mom where you are," Nash muttered darkly.

The comment stung more than it should have.

"I’ve apologized," I said, my voice breaking. "I've said it over and over. If it’s never going to be enough, just tell me."

"Steer clear of each other. That’s how we do it," Nash said, stepping back like he couldn't stand to be near me anymore. "Wilder’ll walk you."

"Why me?" Wilder protested.

"Because you’re the youngest," Nash and Gunner said in unison before disappearing back inside, the door swinging shut behind them.

Wilder sighed dramatically but caught up to us easily. "C’mon, ladies. Might only be two blocks, but you know Nash—order from on high."

The three of us started walking. Cassidy looped her arm through mine, squeezing in silent support.

After half a block, Wilder nudged me with his elbow. "You know, Lil, you didn’t just leave Nash when you left. You left us too."

"I’m sorry," I whispered, guilt clawing at my throat.

"I know you are. But why’d you go?" he asked, his voice surprisingly gentle.

"Didn’t Nash tell you?" I asked, my voice hollow.

"Said you thought you were too young to settle down," Wilder said, doubt dripping from every word.

"Then there’s your answer."

He shook his head. "Nah. Even at sixteen, I could see it. You would've followed Nash to the ends of the earth and to Alabama, which is basically the same thing." He grinned, lightening the mood.

Cassidy laughed. "I had a high school boyfriend. Thought I’d marry him. Didn’t mean it was right."

"Maybe," I said, but I didn’t sound convincing.

Wilder turned serious again. "My money’s on Dad."

I stiffened but kept walking.

"You saw him, thought, ‘nope, don’t wanna tie myself to that gene pool,’" Wilder said, laughing as he jogged ahead of us. "Let’s go! I got bourbon and a pretty blonde waiting back at the bar."

"Okay," Cassidy said later, tossing herself into a squishy armchair in her cozy, mismatched apartment above the bookstore. "What’s the real reason you left Nash?"

I fidgeted with the hem of her borrowed PJ top. "I felt too tied down."

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