Page 64 of Somehow You Knew

Parker speaks first. “Hazel used to date that twat waffle. Why, I’ll never understand.”

“But when she called him out for cheating on her, he slapped her,” Penn adds, his fist clenching on the bar.

My grip tightens on my glass as something inside me snaps.

That son of a bitch.

Penn shakes his head as he continues, “Hazel insists it was an accident. Says it happened when he was flailing his hands around trying to defend himself, but he’s lucky he left town before I could get to him.”

Dallas clears his throat. “I was still in the service when this happened, but if I had been here, let’s just say the guy wouldn’t have beenableto lay a hand on another woman ever again.”

I shake my head. “Motherfucker. Now I regret not going with the urge to deck him.”

“Did he say anything to her?” Penn asks.

“Nothing threatening, but he was a dick about her studio.”

Parker scoffs. “Yeah, sounds about right. He always thought her photography was a joke. Meanwhile, everything he has came from mommy and daddy.”

“Why the fuck did she date this guy?” I ask, growing more furious by the second. The woman I’ve gotten to know doesn’t seem like someone that would put up with that type of shit.

Penn shrugs. “Who the hell knows? I mean, most people have exes they look back on and wonder what the hell they were thinking, but our sister has always been a hopeless romantic. She always tries to see the best in people.”

Guilt twists in my gut for robbing Hazel of a life with a man that she deserves because that man sure as hell can’t be me.

I force myself to meet Dallas’s eyes. “Do you mind starting two burgers for me to go?”

He nods, calling out to the cook. “Is one of these for Hazel?”

“Yeah. I was going to grab her lunch anyway, but I want to head back now to make sure that dickwad doesn’t show back up.”

Dallas glances at his brothers before turning back to me. “Good idea.”

“I honestly don’t think Nathan will return,” Parker says. “When he comes to town, it’s usually just to visit his folks and then he takes off.”

“I don’t care. I could tell he made her uncomfortable, and I don’t want to risk it.”

Dallas nods, pulling out his phone. “Let us know if you need backup.” He taps at the screen. “What’s your number?”

I didn’t really want to exchange numbers with Hazel’s family—another tie to Carrington Cove I don’t need—but with her safety in question, I won’t take any fucking chances.

I rattle off my number to Dallas, then glance up as Grady extends his hand toward me.

“I’m Grady, by the way.”

“I know who you are.” I shake his hand and reach for the basket of fries again. “I was a big fan growing up.”

“Fuck, you’re making me feel old,” Grady says with a laugh.

“You were one of the best, man. A legend.” I cast a glance at Dallas before I say, “But apparently, you suck at cornhole.”

Penn, Parker, and Dallas lose their shit, tossing their heads back in laughter.

“Seriously?” Grady darts his eyes between his friends. “You guys have been talking shit?”

Dallas leans over the bar, staring at his friend. “All I know is that when Gage was my partner, I actually won a game for once in my life.”

Grady flips him off. “Fuck you. I’ll remember that when you want me to play on your team for the Carrington Cove Games this year.”

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