Page 69 of Sour Notes

Fuck knows, I don’t even know what time it is in the USA anymore. I’d have sworn we flew out here weeks ago. And while our little security jackhammer mishap was toe-curlingly mortifying—literally—for the first time in months, I’d managed to forget… okay, fine, avoid spiraling about tonight.

I’d happily sacrifice a hell of a lot more than my dignity if it meant never seeing that asshole again.

But, this is it.

The moment I’ve been dreading since Nick announced his engagement to Pete’s sister, Layla.

The inevitable showdown.

And I’m already barely holding my shit together.

As we get closer and I hear laughter from the pool, the rushing in my ears grows louder, competing to drown out their joy. I wish I could hide in this little bubble with Swayze a minute longer.

Every step closer makes my stomach knot tighter.

Oh my god. My heart is actually palpitating. I can’t breathe.

I’m not ready.

I can’t do this.

I can’t see him—Them.

Swayze must notice me sliding into a full-blown panic attack because he squeezes my hand, pulling me to a stop, just before we turn the corner.

Leaning his forehead to mine, he brings a warm hand up to cup my jaw. His thumb swipes over my bottom lip, one, two, three times, making my heart beat fast for entirely different reasons.

Don’t get caught up, Mia. Remember, it’s all an act.

“We’ve got this, ok. I’ve got you.” He presses a soft kiss to my forehead and releases my jaw, his hand taking mine again. “Ready?”

No.

His icy blue-gray eyes—Siberian Husky eyes—study me. Butterflies flutter low in my belly, and I’m not entirely sure if they’re due to nerves or Swayze.

It’s probably nerves, right?

“Ready.” I nod, squeezing his hand.

Despite everything, I really am grateful he’s here with me, no matter how strained it’s been between us this last year. I know Swayze’s a good guy and facing this with him is almost like I have a partner in crime, even though he has no idea what he’s serving time for.

Should I have warned him?

“I’m right here, Girlfriend.” He winks, squeezing my hand back, an easy grin spreading across his stubbled jaw. Without giving me a chance to respond, he tightens his grip and walks us toward the rest of the group, our families, and my ex.

“Miiiiia! Swayze!” My mom's cheerful shout draws all eyes to us as we round the corner.

I don’t have to try very hard to spot the one pair of eyes I hoped to avoid in my peripheral vision. They’re drilling into me, freezing my very core, making the hairs on the back of my neck rise.

He stands toward the back of the group, but I keep my gaze fixed on my mom, refusing to give him the satisfaction of knowing I’ve noticed him at all.

Nick comes striding over, pulling me into a bear hug before high-fiving Swayze and doing the same to him. “You look beautiful, sis.”

“Thank you, Nicky.” I smile up at my twin.

He’s probably my favorite man on the planet.

Nick’s always been honorable. Growing up, he was the kid who’d always stand up to bullies twice his size to stop them hurting someone else. He’d never treat a woman the way Pete treated me. Layla is his queen—he worships the ground she walks on.