Riley stepped inside, not even bothering with hello.Hisexpression was a mixture of weariness and protectiveness, like a man bracing for a blow.
“You told him,” he said flatly.
Rose froze, her hand halfway to the stack of cups.“Idid.”
He crossed his arms, every inch of him the older brother—even if they were twins.“Ifigured, when he texted me at midnight asking ifIever knew… anything.”
Her heart stumbled.“Andwhat did you say?”
“I said it wasn’t my story to tell.”Riley’sgaze softened, his posture easing.“ButIalso told himI’dsure as hell stand beside it.Besideyou.”
The relief hit her like a wave, leaving her shoulders sagging.“Thankyou.”
“You okay?”he asked.
“No,” she admitted.“ButI’mgetting there.”
Riley studied her, chewing on the inside of his cheek like he always did when he wanted to push harder but knew better.Finally, he nodded.“Good.Youalways get there eventually.Stubbornas hell, just likeDad.”
That made her smile faintly, despite everything.“Momused to say we came out fighting.”
“You did,”Rileysaid, snagging a muffin from the counter.“Andnow you’ve gotAcenin your corner again.”
Rose’s hand faltered over the chip bags.“Idon’t know what that means yet.”
Riley raised an eyebrow, giving her a look that said he’d been seeing through her since they were kids.“Comeon.You’renot fooling anyone.Leastof all me.”
She swallowed.“I’mnot trying to fool anyone.Butyou know me.Ican’t just sit still and wait forBriana’snext move.Ineed to do something.Ineed to take control before she twists this into something uglier than it already is.”
Riley tore off a piece of muffin, his jaw hard.“Thenstart with the truth.Yourtruth.Don’tlet her weaponize it.”
His words hung in the air long after he left.
As she straightened the pen holder next to the cash register, she noticed an envelope tucked under it.Curious, she pulled it out.Nowriting on the front, so she slit the seal to figure out what it could be.
Her blood froze when she read the words in bold black print on a half sheet of white paper.
People put you on a pedestal,Rose, but if the truth about your past came out, they’d think twice.Agirl who hides something that big doesn’t deserve their trust.
Carefully, face strategically blank, she pushed the paper back into the envelope.Aquick glance around the coffee shop showed no one looking her way.
When hadBrianahidden the letter?Rosehad no doubt about the author.
Time to call in reinforcements.
War was coming.
Later that day,Rosesat onTasha’sback porch withAcen.RileyandTasha, the three of them gathered around an old wooden table scarred from years of backyard barbecues and impromptu card games.Thesummer afternoon smelled faintly of honeysuckle and charcoal from a neighbor’s grill.
Rose dropped the anonymous letter onto the table like it was poison.“Tash,I’min trouble, andIneed your help.”
Tasha read the note, frowning at the typewritten words."Briana?”
Rose nodded.“Rightthe first time.”
Tasha frowned.“Thisis bold.Isshe planning on sending this kind of thing around town?That’snot just stirring the pot—that’s trying to burn the whole kitchen down.”
“And she’s playingDeclan,”Roseadded, her throat tight.“Idon’t know how far she’s gone with him, but she’s doing it to get under my skin.Hedoesn’t even know he’s a pawn.”
