I feel antsy—and when I’m antsy, I clean.
I start with the dishes, scrubbing them with more force than necessary. Then it’s the counters, the floors, the bathroom—every surface I can reach. The physical activity helps me burn off some of the restless energy buzzing under my skin, but it doesn’t quiet my thoughts.
No matter how hard I try to push Dominic out of my mind, he won’t budge. I’m questioning myself, regretting what happened. I was drunk but I wasn’tthatdrunk. If anything I was using it as an excuse—permission to do exactly what I wanted. And maybe after what happened with Stuart I needed something good. I needed something not tainted. I needed Dominic. Now, I don’t know what to think.
By the time I’ve cleaned everything twice over, I’mphysically exhausted but my mind is wide awake. It’s two in the morning, and I don’t see myself falling asleep anytime soon. Not with my thoughts racing the way they are. Not with my life in this weird limbo of constant surveillance. I just want this to be over.
I can’t be here right now. I need to go somewhere I can think.
CHAPTER 37
Elyse
YOU’RE JUST SO WISE
PRESENT
“Are you lost?”
Gavin’s voice cuts through the silence, making me nearly jump out of my skin.
“Jesus Christ!” I exclaim, pressing a hand to my chest. “I didn’t think anyone would be here this late—or early, I guess.”
The lab is located on the edge of the winery estate, near the bottling facility. It’s where the wine is actually made—more science lab than picturesque winery. And much like my brother, it’s tucked away and isolated from everything else.
Gavin descends the metal staircase, pulling off his gloves and hairnet as he goes. “Lily’s at a sleepover, so I thought I’d get some work done. Spring Release is right around the corner.”
When he reaches the bottom step, he pauses, raising an eyebrow. “But the real question is, why are you here? Especially at this hour?”
He steps off the last stair, his boots scuffing against the concrete floor as he walks toward me. Tossing hisgloves onto a nearby table, he leans a hip against it, folding his arms across his chest.
I shrug, not entirely sure why I came here. I just started driving and ended up at the winery, and instead of turning back around, I kept going until the road came to a stop at the lab.
“What’s going on? Are you alone? Why are you alone?” He has a concerned look on his face, the same kind our dad gives us, and for some reason it makes me feel guilty. I know what’s going on isn’t my fault, but I can’t help but feel like all it’s done is cause my family unnecessary stress.
“Patrol is parked outside. And I’m fine, it’s nothing to do with that.” I reassure him.
He nods slowly, silently probing me to continue with what’s really bothering me.
Rather than answer him right away, I busy myself with straightening the papers on a cart next to a rack of new barrels. “Well, you know how Dominic has been staying with me the past few days?”
He blows out an exhale. “Yeah, it’s the only reason any of us can sleep at night, knowing someone’s watching over you. And after last night, I feel indebted to the guy.”
There goes that pang of guilt again, hitting painfully.
“It’s just that it’s been confusing. You know the history. I don’t know…”
I’m close with all my siblings, each in their own way, but I’ve never been very open about sharing details about my love life, especially with my brothers.
“I remember,” he chuckles. “Hard to forget. It was the first time I ever wanted to fight one of my friends.”
“What?” I laugh. “What are you talking about?”
Gavin shrugs. “I mean, he was younger than me and Ethan, but we liked him, liked hanging out with him. Thenyou two started dating, and we didn’t fucking like that one bit.”
My forehead scrunches. “Why?”
He cocks his head, staring down at me. “Because we’re guys. We knew what all teenage boys want—shit, what all men want. And we knew it was likely going to happen.” He pauses, shaking his head with a laugh. “It’s different when it’s your sister. We liked him, but we love you, and if he hurt you, we knew what we were going to have to do.”
