Page 102 of One Little Lie
Easton stands and claps me on the back. “I have to go find GG. She’s talking about getting some cocks for the lodge. I need to make sure she’s talking about the rooster variety because you never fucking know with her.”
Laughter rings out in the heavy moment.
“You can always count on GG to lighten the mood,” I acknowledge.
“That’s for sure. Think about what I said. It also might not be a bad idea to talk to someone about this. Someone with experience that can teach you other coping skills. Seeking help for a hurt that no one else can see isn’t weak, Halt. It takes strength and bravery that some men will never have. Remember that the next time you feel ashamed of something you didn’t ask for. There are ways of handling this, but you have to take the first step. It takes more courage to fight for your mental health than it does to fight for a broken bone. People are quick to brush aside a disease when they can’t see it, but we won’t ever be those people. We’re your people, Halt, and we’ll always have your back. Remember that.”
He leaves before I can say anything else, and I sit in the empty barn surrounded by Easton’s art, his words swirling around my head until I feel dizzy.
I have to be the change, to make a change. And that’s my scariest fucking thought yet.
Chapter 35
Rylan
Rylan: Is everything all set?
Ari: Yup. You’re good to go! I set it up myself. You should have everything you need.
Lexi: Should I warn the sheriff there may be some kink to watch out for tonight? Our jail isn’t as nice as on Block Island, but …
She’s so freaking ridiculous. Neither she nor Colton will let us live down the sexcapades, as Colton now refers to them.
Rylan: We are keeping the sexcapades confined to four walls with a locking door these days.
Rylan: No need to warn the sheriff.
Lexi: Too bad. Good luck.
Ari: I can’t wait to see what he does!
Me too, Ari. Me too.
In the weeks since we returned from Block Island, we’ve settled into a routine of sorts. It feels strange because we’re all in limbo helping GG here in Vermont. Hatty spends his days doing whatever the CFO of The Westbrook Group does, taking breaks to run numbers for Easton when he needs help with something they’re doing to rejuvenate the area.
I’m proud of this family in an unexpected way. They’ve dropped everything to be in this tiny town for someone they love, and in the process, they fell in love with the town and are doing everything in their power to give it some much needed Westbrook TLC.
Things have been relatively normal after the initial freak out about Pacen, Mr. Westbrook, and all the secrets we may never know about. Well, except that Ash won’t leave his trailer. Everyone is worried sick about him, but he insists he just needs time to work through some things. The only exception is Friday nights when he picks up little Sadie for whatever date she has planned for him.
It is quite possibly the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.
Hatty and I spend every night together, but we still haven’t put a label to us, and I can’t decide if I’m upset by that or not. Everyone just assumes we’re together. Hell, I think that most days, too. But the longer we’re here, in this bubble without having the talk, the more a thread of doubt tries to creep in.
“You ready?” Hatty asks, exiting the bathroom freshly showered. He hasn’t stayed in his room since we got back, and as worried as I am about our future, it just feels right.
“Yup.” I can’t contain my grin if I tried.
“Should I be nervous? You look like you’re up to something.” He leans against the door and crosses his arms over his broad chest. A chest I was trapped under not too long ago.
My cheeks flush at the memory.
“I’d love to know what just ran through that dirty little head of yours,” he teases.
“No way. We will never get out of here, and I have a special date planned for us.”
His body language stiffens, and he opens his mouth, but no words come out, so he clamps it shut again. Eventually, he puffs out the breath he was holding and shakes his head.
“I suck. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I … they told me I need to plan an epic first date, but everything they came up with just felt … wrong.”
