Page 84 of Hearts Storm

A brief moment of silence greets my ears before he murmurs, “This is a good thing, Rey.”

“How can you say that?” I grip the steering wheel and pull onto the main road. “He was pretty mad. Like, stormed-out-the-door-and-slammed-it-in-my-face mad.”

“Trust me.” Brex sounds amused. “He’s gonna stew over it, but it’ll get his brain working overtime. That’s what Logan does.”

I bite my lip. “Has he called you?”

“Not yet.”

“BREXTON!” A deep, gruff voice booms in the background, followed by the clatter of what sounds like a pool cue hitting the floor. “Get your ass over here! Rune is trying to stiff me on the last round!”

“Sorry, Rey. That’s Dex,” he sighs. “I swear my brothers are going to be the death of me.” I stifle a laugh when an image of him pinching the bridge of his nose pops into my head. “Just... trust me. Logan will figure his shit out. He’ll come around. Okay? Gotta go, Pretty. See you Saturday.”

After we hang up, I sit quietly in front of my cottage, engine idling, staring at the last of the evening twilight as fades behind the pines, Brex’s promise ringing in my ears.

Just... trust me. Logan will figure his shit out. He’ll come around.

But what if he doesn’t? What if I’ve just made everything a hundred times worse?

My phone buzzes. I glance down, expecting it to be Brex with some sort of last-minute reassurance, but it’s Lizzy.

LIZZY

Just landed in L.A. Rowan says hi. How’d the doctor’s appointment go?

Great! No concussion. Just a mild contusion. Cleared for work on Monday.

LIZZY

That’s amazing. I’m glad you’re okay.

Thanks. Me too. I’m excited.

LIZZY

Shit. I see Evo. He’s picking me up. Have fun on Saturday, and do EVERYTHING I would do, babes!

Despite the knot in my stomach, her words make me laugh. Leave to Lizzy to always say what’s on her mind.

Shaking my head, I pocket my phone, grab my bag from the passenger seat, and head inside.

This girl’s got a hot date with a soaking tub, glass of wine, and her vibrator.

thirty-six

My parents’ house is only a couple of miles from the station. I can see the top of the old oak tree out back as I pull into the driveway.

Just as massive as when we were kids, its thick branches stretch, gnarling toward the sky. It still cradles the treehouse my sister Lizzy and Rowan used to hang out in when we were kids.

It’s an integral part of their story, which is now also the title of the movie my childhood best friend came home to Lakeside to make. And win back my sister’s heart. Which, after all the shit he put her through, still managed to do.

My mom has always been someone I could talk to about anything. She’s got this way of cutting through bullshit that’s equally terrifying and reassuring. But I haven’t really opened up to her about my love life in years. Not since college. Not that I’ve had much of one since then either.

The front door swings open before I even get to the porch.

“There’s my boy!” Hands on her hips, her salt-and-pepper hair is piled on top of her head. Her favorite purple apron is covering a floral blouse and jeans, which means she’s been baking again. Her chocolate chip cookies are phenomenal.

“Hey, Ma.” Bracing myself, I climb the steps.