Page 29 of One Little Lie
We’re all glancing between Loki and Colton as realization hits.
“How long were they close? How did I never know it?”
“Colt, you know we love you, but there’s a reason we’ve always called you Peter Pan. You’re the first to step up to help someone, but you’re also the first to find the fun. I’d say their friendship started at that first birthday party we all went to.” Preston keeps his voice quiet, but I’m worried Colton will feel attacked.
“She’s always been your best friend, Colt, but I think she and Halton had a different connection right from the beginning. They were always hanging out in the gardens, and I wondered if things were changing when he and your dad built the hammock,” Loki explains.
Sighing, Colton drops his head into his hands. “You’re telling me I was a shitty friend.”
“Not at all. I’m simply pointing out that while you have love for her, Halton has always been in love with her. I think it probably explains why he’s become so bitter over the years, too.”
Emotion floods Colton’s face, and it’s so vivid I can feel his pain.
“So, you expect me to just forgive him for breaking her? For pushing her away from him and me?”
“Try to step back from your anger for just a second and ask yourself, do you want him to be happy? Do you want her to be happy?”
“He’s my goddamn brother, Preston. Of course I want him to be fucking happy. And she’s my best friend who has spent years building herself back up. Am I just supposed to say, ‘have at it,’ and hope he has his shit together enough not to hurt her again?”
“No,” Easton speaks up. “I think it’s something they need to work out for themselves, without our blessings or dissent. Do you guys remember Halton right before Dad died? Stop, and really think about who he was then. He was more emotional, more alive, freer than I’d ever seen him. That all changed overnight. I assumed it was his way of handling death, but thinking back now? Maybe it had more to do with Rylan.”
“She was different, too,” Colton chokes out.
“Yeah, she was,” he agrees.
“I don’t think I can give him my blessing.”
“And I don’t think that’s our place. But, as his brother and as her friend, you should want them to rebuild the friendship they once had, if nothing else.”
Colton, always the most expressive, stands, and a myriad of emotions flash across his face. “I can’t handle this right now. You guys do what you need to.”
“Colt—”
He raises his hand to cut Preston off. “I just need some time. Do whatever you think is best.” He doesn’t give us time to say anything else. He’s out the door a second later.
“Fuck,” Preston exclaims. “What the hell do we do now?”
“I think Pacen is on Block Island.”
All my brothers turn to face me, and I realize I didn’t segue into that very well.
“Sorry,” I rasp. Jesus, it hurts to talk. “I’ve been searching for her. It’s pretty obvious she’s in hiding, but I need to speak with her about … about my attack, about what happened. She’ll remember Rylan from when they were kids.”
“That’s right. She used to tag along with her sister when she would come over. She and Rylan are about the same age.” Easton runs a hand roughly through his hair.
Pacen’s sister, Vanessa, was once someone East thought he’d grow old with. I know he’s still trying to come to terms with all he’s learned about her recently.What would it be like to learn a betrayal you’ve held in your heart for years, wasn’t a betrayal at all?
My mind immediately shifts to Pacen, but I refuse to be distracted. Not again, anyway. Shaking my head, I return my focus to the conversation happening around me.
“You want to send Halton and Rylan to Block Island,” Loki surmises. He crosses his arms with a crooked grin. “It’s the height of summer, and there’s only one hotel on that little island. There’s no way there are any rooms or houses available.”
Loki and I have worked together for so long he pieces my plan together before anyone else.
“So, what does that mean?” Preston asks, confused.
I don’t fight the twitch of my lip, even as pain shoots through the scar there. “They’re going camping.”
Every mouth in the room drops to the floor.
