Page 244 of Barinov

I look back toward the pool where Marisol is now trying to help Lex dunk Zeke and failing. A smile tugs at my lips.

“He also said healing isn’t just forgetting.” I swallow. “It’s slowly letting other people take up the space that the trauma used to.”

“He isn’t wrong.”

A loud, booming “OH MY GOD!” suddenly echoes throughout the gardens, splintering the quiet peace of the fire pit. A chorus of wild cheering instantly explodes from the pool area.

Before I even have a chance to get up and run toward the sound, Lex and Cade are already sprinting across the lawn straight to me.

“Sweetheart!” Cade beams as they slide into the garden space. The bright glow of his phone screen illuminates the absolute, sheer joy written across his face.

I scramble to my feet. “What? What happened?”

Cade lifts his phone, his hand shaking slightly as another breathtaking and radiant smile takes over his face.

“I got the interview!”

Chapter 63

LEX

Wexley University

Ready to watch my baby dance.

37 days since we got our girl back.

Bella catches me staring at her ass in those tight little burgundy Trifecta shorts and rolls her eyes. She blows me a kiss and mouths, behave, before laying herself down flat on the gym floor.

Good luck with that, baby.

I’m planted between Cade and Zeke on the front row, glaring at Josh while he begins stretching out our girl. Luckily, the arrival of Roman and Luciana pulls me out of my murderous trance.

Just barely.

The whole Trifecta family is accounted for. Well… almost. Sadly, Savannah got stuck hosting some charity auction this afternoon or she’d be squeezed in behind us with Clay and my parents.

Brett’s got Cade laughing about something he just said while Briggs and Ty just shake their heads. Marisol is seated on the other side of Zeke, their fingers lazily intertwined. Callum and August are here too, annoying the shit out of each and every person they possibly can.

“Glad you could make it, Rome,” Dad says from the second row next to my mom and Clay. “Saved you two a spot.”

Mom’s spine stiffens as they take their seats beside them, but somehow she miraculously keeps her claws retracted.

For now.

“Lovely to see you, Dan,” Luciana chirps at my dad.

Mom sucks in a deep breath, but Knox’s loud mouth booms over the speakers before she can open her lips. Thank fuck. Everyone’s been playing nice for days now and it’d be a damn shame if my mother ruined it all.

“I think it’s time we get this show on the road!” Knox says into the mic. “Javi. It’s all you, man.”

The gym quiets as the dancers all find their places around center court. Josh helps Bella to her feet and guides her toward the rest of the group. Ellie and Haley fall into place next to her, their stunt dudes Drake and Sam trailing closely behind them.

“Finally,” August mutters. He leans down and places his forearm on Zeke’s shoulder. “Ready for the sexiest show at Wexley, my dude?”

“I’ve been to one of these things before, August.” Zeke straightens and brushes his arm off. “And I’m not your dude.”

My head snaps toward him. “So you’ve seen Bella—”