Page 7 of Echoes of You

My brow arched.

“He’s a douchebag.”

My gaze instantly went to her left hand. Her ring finger was bare. Relief swept through me fast and fiercely, an emotion I didn’t want to look at too closely. But denial was my constant companion when it came to Maddie.

I grinned at her. “Those damn loafers should’ve been your first clue. Tassels? Really?”

She choked on a laugh. “I should’ve listened to you.”

My smile widened. “I’m going to remind you of that the next time you fight me on something.”

Maddie rolled her eyes. “Of course, you will.”

I pulled her into my arms again, breathing deeply. Her scent—vanilla and a hint of peach—washed over me, and with it came a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in over two years. “Are you okay?”

A hint of tension wove through her muscles, but she nodded. “I am now.”

* * *

I pulledmy SUV into an open spot near the packed trailhead. There were too many vehicles to count, which only meant one thing: I was late, and I’d never hear the end of it.

But there was nothing I could do about it now. I’d tossed and turned all night, images of Maddie taunting me. The shadows in her eyes. Every time I’d tried to ask about what had happened with the douchebag, she’d skillfully avoided the question. That was the thing about Maddie. She was a horrible liar but a master avoider.

I had no choice but to give her time. Maddie had always moved at the pace of her own invisible clock. All I could do was be there for her until she was ready to open up. So, I’d stayed. Helped her unpack her car and finish cleaning that filthy cabin.

I’d talked her ear off, catching her up on town gossip and updating her on my siblings’ lives. But I’d avoided anything heavy because of those damn shadows in her eyes.

My back teeth ground together. The asshole had probably cheated on her. He seemed like the type.

Switching off my engine, I climbed out of the driver’s seat and headed in my family’s direction. I had a love-hate relationship with search and rescue. Loved helping those in need while being out in nature. Loved the sense of purpose it brought while spending time with my family.

But there was a healthy dose of hate in there, too. The rules and regulations. The way it was so easy for others to compare me to my siblings. Grae, the tiny powerhouse, who had overcome so much to be out here with us. Holt, the prodigal son, who had returned to everyone’s joy and assumed the job of SAR team leader. Roan, the quiet stoic, who could track better than anyone I’d ever met. Lawson, the protective big brother, who took everyone’s well-being on his shoulders, both here and as leader of our police department.

Lines creased my father’s brow as I approached. “Everything okay?”

I scowled but instantly tried to wipe the expression off my face. Dad was just regaining his sea legs after recovering from a heart attack and a broken leg. He didn’t need my grief. “Overslept my alarm.”

Concern marred Grae’s typically warm features, but she didn’t say a word. She knew what it was like to be the focus of everyone’s overactive worry.

Lawson thumped me on the back. “I thought you’d be in a better mood since Maddie’s back.”

“He’s grouchy because she didn’t tell him that she was coming,” Holt filled in helpfully.

I sent a glare in his direction. “I’m not grouchy. What are you, five?”

Holt chuckled. “You certainly seemed in a mood when Wren and I ran into you yesterday.”

“I was surprised, that’s all.” I fought the urge to squirm. I hated this kind of attention. Wanted it anywherebuton my shoulders.

Grae looked at me thoughtfully. “I didn’t get to ask Maddie. Did Adam move back with her?”

I stiffened at the douchebag’s name. “No.”

Lawson let out a low whistle while Holt grinned. Roan’s brows rose, but that was the only reaction from my mostly silent brother.

A smile spread across Grae’s face. “So, the engagement’s off? Maddie’s single?”

“Don’t start, G,” I warned. My sister had been trying to play matchmaker with Maddie and me since we were in middle school.

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