Page 74 of Rebel Moon

“She hates the word owe.”

“Too bad.” Grant’s eyes flashed. “You don’t do what you two did this month and not at least have a conversation about it.”

“It’s over,” I said, hot tears flooding my eyes. “She’s made sure of that. I can’t forgive her for this.”

“If she did hear you and didn’t let you in, then yeah. But we know Madeleine. She’s good people, even though she comes off as driven and cold. But we’ve all seen another side of her here. We all think it’s because of you. You’ve brought out her playful, fun side.”

Mindy Sue. But she was surely never allowed out again. Not after today.

“I do wonder what happened between now and yesterday,” I said. “Can’t help but want to know what I did.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong. This is all her. She’s one of the bravest people I know but also the most cowardly. When it comes to her personal life, she always chooses to walk away. That’s just who she is.”

“I was thinking out there about you and the other boys—how you’re my family.” I was crying now and I didn’t care. “You’ve all brought out the best in me. Given me a place to belong. Made it the time of my life. I thought I was going to die, you know, and it was all so clear.” I tapped my forehead. “This life—this beautiful life we built—it’s because of all of you. My brothers.”

Grant, my big, muscular, manly friend teared up. “Now stop that. You didn’t die. You’re right here, drinking whiskey with your brother.”

“I’m glad I have the chance to tell you I love you,” I said, tears still coming. “I didn’t think I would. Not to mention I’d ruin Ivy’s wedding if I was dead three days before the ceremony.” I laughed mixed with crying. “She would have killed me all over again.”

“It would have ruined the wedding, that’s for certain.” Grant poured himself another drink. “I don’t know about Montana. This place does a thing to a man.”

“Tell me about it,” I said. “It’s turned me into an idiot.”

“To be fair, you’ve always been an idiot most of the time.”

I sighed, wiping my eyes, laughing some more. “Thank God I have another chance to make better choices. Thanks to you.”

“Ivy would’ve been really mad if we were both dead,” Grant said. “I didn’t think about that part. Saw you out there and I didn’t think twice. Like you said, I guess my dad did something good.”

“You’re my family. You know that, right?”

“You’re my family too. I would never want anything to pull us apart.”

I peered at him. “You got something on your mind?”

“I can’t talk about it.”

“Is it Luci?” I asked.

He blinked, turning to look at me. “Luci?”

“I can see how you feel about her. I’ve suspected it for years.”

“Oh. Yeah.”

“I may be a jackass at times, but I see things, especially when it involves one of you.”

“I can’t do it, Knox. I can’t hurt Jack that way.”

“You think he’d be opposed?”

“Wouldn’t you be if you were him?”

“Um, actually, no. I’d be real happy if my sister was in love with a man who would risk his own life in a snowstorm to save his idiot friend. Dude, you’re one of the good ones. Jack knows that.”

“Yeah, but what if I messed it up and hurt Luci? He’d never forgive me. I’d wreck the band.”

“Do you know how Luci feels?” I asked.