Page 181 of Lavender Lake
“I’m not ready to forgive him,” Declan seethed.
“Neither am I,” Cas announced.
“Stubborn fuckers,” I snapped. “We’re not doing this.”
“Damn right we’re not,” Hadley said, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at her new husband. “You’ve been friends for over a decade. Don’t let pride end your friendship.”
“This isn’t about pride,” Declan stated.
“Then what is it about?” Hadley asked.
“I’m good enough for Salem,” Cas said. “Even if you don’t think I am.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Declan demanded.
“You don’t think I’m good enough for her,” Cas said, his face marred with anger. “That’s why you told her I wasn’t a family man.”
Declan held his head and sighed before looking at his best friend. “You dumb fuck.”
“Oh no,” I murmured.
“Wait,” Hadley said to me.
“Because you’renota family man. You’ve been on the circuit for years and”—his eyes darted to me before returning to Cas—“never showed any signs you wanted to settle down.”
“Did you want to settle down until you met Hadley?” Cas asked bluntly.
Declan paused. “Fair point.”
“I didn’t plan this,” Cas said. “You of all people know how that shit goes.”
Declan straightened his spine. “So, what are you going to do? You’re at the top of your career. And you’ve got sponsorships . . .”
“I’ve also been offered the chance to be the face of Rudolph Lancaster’s new western line,” Cas said.
“You’re kidding!” Muddy gasped.
Cas looked at her and shook his head.
I cleared my throat. “They, ah, found out Cas and I were together and having a baby, and now they want us both to model in the campaign.”
The room was silent.
“Nothing’s been decided,” Cas finally said.
“What do you meannothing’s been decided?” Declan asked.
“I mean, there’s a lot of moving parts,” Cas stated. “My career. Her career. That’ll get sorted. But I don’t want to be at odds with you.”
“We’re not at odds.” Declan cleared his throat. “I overstepped, brother. I won’t interfere in your relationship again.”
I held my breath as the two old friends stared at one another.
Cas held out his hand and Declan clasped it.
“Thanks, man,” Cas said, shaking Declan’s palm.
“I never did say congratulations,” Declan replied.
