Page 96 of Echoes of You

“No one gets to make you feel bad about how you live your life.” I knew what that felt like, and no one deserved to live that way, especially not someone as amazing as Grae.

A look of bone-deep sadness swept across her face. “He used to be the one who made me think I could do anything.”

The grief in her voice made my chest ache.

A second later, she shook it off. “You know what? Screw him. He doesn’t deserve my energy.”

Wren grinned. “Damn straight.”

Grae straightened her shoulders. “Let’s dance.”

I laughed. “Dancing cures all?”

“It can’t hurt.”

We slid out of the booth and made our way onto the dance floor. We shimmied and shook, jumped up and down, and pulled moves that I should’ve been embarrassed about but wasn’t. We laughed and didn’t let any guy break up our amazing threesome.

Sweat dotted my back, and my side began to ache. I leaned into Wren and Grae. “I’m going to get some water and air. Be right back.”

“Want me to come with you?” Wren asked.

I shook my head. “I’ll be back in five.”

I made my way to the bar and snagged a bottle of water. My gaze caught on a familiar face as she downed a shot. My mother’s hair was plastered to her face, and this obviously wasn’t her first drink. As recognition dawned, her eyes narrowed on me. “What are yooooou doing here? You don’t even like fun.”

I sighed. Things obviously weren’t going well in paradise if she wasn’t home with my father. “You can’t ruin my happy buzz. Not tonight, Mom.”

I turned to leave, but she grabbed my elbow. “You embarrassed your father. Serving him with a restraining order? Who do you think you are?”

I wrenched my arm free of her hold. “Someone who will do whatever it takes to protect herself.”

I made a beeline for the doors to the back patio. Most of the crowd had stayed inside, but a few couples were making out, and some people were smoking. I moved farther away from the small crowd and closer to the water.

The lake had always been a place of comfort for me. Something about the smooth surface could soothe my most ragged edges. I took a deep breath, pulling in the pine air.

I couldn’t let my mother get to me. She hadn’t earned that right.

A twig snapped, and I turned. Something collided with my temple. Pain bloomed. And then I was falling into the darkness.

32

NASH

A smile teasedHolt’s lips as he laid down his cards. “Full house.”

I tossed mine onto the table. “He cheats.”

Roan grunted in agreement.

Holt raked the money toward him. “No, I just spent years in the desert, and there wasn’t a whole lot to kill time with.”

“Well, you’re making it worth your while now,” Lawson said, taking a pull on his beer.

I looked around the back room we’d conned Wildfire’s owner into letting us use until they locked up for the night. How long had it been since all my brothers were together, just the four of us? I honestly didn’t know. But now that Holt was back, this kind of thing could happen more. We’d even somehow convinced Roan to join us.

“Gonna take my girl out on a date with this cash,” Holt said. “Thanks, guys.”

I chuckled at that. “Like you’re hurting for money.”

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