Page 35 of One Little Lie
“Sorry.” My voice is strained as emotions, thoughts, and worries all vie for my attention.
“It’s okay. I sweat when I’m nervous, too.” Ari winks.
“What’s it going to be, Rylan?” Lexi is back in control with her arms folded over her chest. She’s all business.
Ari has a point. If he really hated me, that emotion would have overridden his guilt long ago.Right?
“I admit, I don’t know Halton all that well, but I know that family. As much as it kills me to admit it, they’re good people. Halton is an asshole sometimes, but I find it hard to believe he’s so different from the rest of them. What he did to you is very un-Westbrook-like.”
I nod because she’s making sense. If I’m being honest with myself, I knew it even as it was happening. Hatty’s words were vicious, but his eyes told a different story, and that’s what makes the decision for me.
“Will one of you come to get me if he leaves me on the island?”
The girls laugh, but I see mischief forming on Lexi’s face.
“If he leaves you there, we’ll all take turns beating some sense into him. Then we’ll come get you.” Lexi’s damn grin is as scary as her grandmother sometimes.
“All right, what do I need?”
Their faces light up like Christmas morning, and a groan escapes my lips. Shopping has never been fun. The emergence of online shopping has been a godsend, but they have all of our arms overloaded with supplies in less than an hour. I’m suddenly regretting this decision.
* * *
Easton knocked on my door far too early this morning and ushered me out to a waiting SUV with tinted windows. It was all very clandestine, but I sit and watch as Hatty walks toward me twenty minutes later, bag in hand and surrounded by his brothers.
Everyone except Colton.
Colton hasn’t taken my calls since Summerfest. I’ll need to fix this when we get back.
My jaw is so tight as he talks to Preston that I can hear the bones grinding. What’s he going to say when he opens this door?Oh, God. Maybe this was a mistake.
Gah! They’re getting closer, so I grab my phone to text Lexi.
Rylan: Where are you? I thought you were going to be here? What if he kicks me out?
Lexi: Jesus. Tuck it forward, would ya?
Rylan: Tuck what forward? What are you talking about? Where are you? I might need an escape plan.
Lexi: Tuck it forward, show your lady balls, your courage. You’ve got this.
Lexi: And we’re on the porch. Easton and Pres wanted to get him to the car on their own.
Rylan: What the hell? (forehead palm emoji)
Ari: Oh! They’re on the move again. Show time, lady!
I drop my phone into my lap, and my hands immediately clasp together. I shouldn’t be this nervous. I didn’t do anything wrong. However, when he opens the door and finds me sitting in the passenger seat, my heart plummets.
This is going to be a disaster.
Chapter 12
Halton
“Just stick to Ashton’s plan, and you’ll be fine. It’s all laid out for you in the file.” Preston continues to usher me forward. With Easton on the other side, I feel as if I’m being escorted straight to hell.
“Okay, I’ve got it, guys. Have either of you spoken to Colton?” I hate the idea of leaving Vermont on bad terms with him.
