Page 51 of Flawless

I didn’t see her face. I saw Rylee’s.

I didn’t hear her voice. I heard the woman I loved reciting those words.

And it nearly brought me to my knees.

My emotions were reeling. I was still hurt. Still angry. Still confused. But more than anything, I was still missing her.

Chapter Nineteen

Cameron

Austin’s ranch had a huge barn reserved for events, since he often hosted open mic nights for friends in the industry, and they’d decorated the space with white tables and chairs, a stage and dance floor, fresh flowers, and clear lights. There was an open bar, and a five-course catered meal, with country music’s elite all making an appearance to celebrate the happy couple.

I felt sick, having to face Rylee again.

She looked stunning, in a full black skirt with a wide belt cinching her tiny waist, a white vest with lacy ruffles, and sky-high black heels. Her lips and nails were blood red, and I imagined it was my blood she’d like to spill on the floor as she shot daggers at me, when she bothered to acknowledge me at all.

“Honey, what happened?” my mama whispered, curling her hand around my forearm. “Y’all were so close at our place. I thought for sure you’d be gettin’ down on one knee by Christmas.”

“Please,” I said, turning my back on Rylee, who stood across the wide-open space talking to country music icons, Trey Turner and Ty McCall. “I can’t talk about this tonight.”

Her expression softened as she shook her head. “It’s obvious your heart is breaking, Cameron. And if you can’t talk to your family, who can you talk to?”

I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but the pain was still too raw.

“Tonight is about Austin and Eden. They’ve waited a long time for this and I’m not gonna ruin it by moaning about my problems.”

“Your sister is worried about you too,” she said, gently. “We saw what you went through when you broke up with Kelly, and that was bad enough. But this is… so much bigger than that, isn’t it?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded as I brought the whisky to my lips. It wasn’t going down smooth tonight. I’d drunk enough this past week to know it did nothing to ease the ache or make me forget her.

“Then talk to her. Whatever it is, just talk to her. Maybe you can work it out.”

“We can’t.”

I still didn’t know the truth, and until I did, I was at a loss. But guys like me didn’t close cases until we had all the answers, so why was I standing here, sipping whisky instead of demanding the truth from the only person who could give it to me?

“Hey,” Austin said, draping his arm around my neck. “How is everybody tonight?” He winked at my mama. “Havin’ a good time?”

“I am,” she said, hooking a thumb in my direction. “But I can’t say the same for this one.”

“Ah, yeah,” Austin said. “I thought you might be havin’ a rough night, brother. Is there anything I can do?”

“Mama,” I asked her, “Can you give us a minute?”

She shook her head and walked off muttering about stubborn men.

“Tonight is about you and my sister,” I said, turning to face Austin. “And you know nobody’s happier about your engagement than I am. It’s long overdue, if you ask me.”

He grinned, curling his hand around my shoulder. “I appreciate that, man.”

“But I need you to do me a favour.”

“Name it, Cam. You know that.”

“Rylee’s ex, Dean. You know where he lives?”

Austin’s eyes widened. “So, this does have something to with him, huh? I suspected as much.”