“Yeah, no big deal.” He flicks a glance at me before focusing on the road. “With Lane being away at the treatment center, the guys are already pissed to lose two more sets of hands, but…honestly? It’s nice to get away for a while.”
A humorless laugh slips out before I can stop it, and I shift in my seat, pressing my forehead lightly against the cool glass of the window.
Outside, the mountains glow in the pale light of sunrise.
A new day. A clean slate.
My friends are coming, and it feels like stitching together two different versions of myself.
I won’t lie—I’m nervous about how this weekend will go. I feel like a completely different person than I was before coming here. Something in me has shifted. I’ve found my voice.
For the first time in my life, I feel free—like I don’t have to put on a performance for anyone. I can just…be.
“Sleep okay?” Emmett asks, turning onto the highway.
“Not really.” Heat flares in my cheeks before I can stop it.
Because it was his brother who kept me up all night.
Emmett hums knowingly. “Yeah, I figured. I heard you tossing and turning all night.”
All the blood drains from my face and my body turns to stone. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch him stealing a glance at me.
“Something happen between you and Wes?”
My throat tightens but I force a shrug, keeping my eyes locked on the endless stretch of asphalt. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
“Everything okay between you two? Because it seemed like—”
“There isnothingbetween us,” I cut in a little too quickly. “Wesley is a dick, and unfortunately there’s no cure for that.”
Emmett blows out a long breath, shaking his head as he keeps his gaze on the road. “He just needs to get laid,” he mutters under his breath.
My entire body tingles, heat crawling up my neck.
Oh.
He did.
I turn quickly back toward the window, praying he doesn’t notice the way my face flames. My pulse pounds in my ears, but Emmett keeps talking, blissfully oblivious, while my secret screams in the silence between us.
“So…” Emmett cuts me a sideways look, a smirk tugging at his mouth. “Are your friends hot?”
I snort. “Reel it in, bud. They’re…a lot. Sometimes they’re even too much for me—and Mia would eat you alive.”
“I love a challenge.” He winks. “Being eaten alive sounds like fun.”
“Ew.” I groan, laughing. “Please don’t hook up with my friends.”
He grins, shameless. “No promises.”
Ourtimingcouldnothave been more perfect.
Emmett pulls up to the curb just as my two best friends roll through the sliding glass doors of baggage claim, dragging their oversized suitcases behind them.
Mia spots me first, dropping her suitcase handle and launching herself into my arms. Her soft, dark waves spill across my face, but I don’t care. I cling to her, breath catching in my throat. I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed her until now.
She’s the one who pulls away first, pushing her huge sunglasses to the top of her head as she studies me.
