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Slowly, she takes my hand, and I give hers a shake.
“Thank you for giving me a chance, Ginger. I’m really sorry it didn’t work out.”
Releasing my hand, she shrugs, giving me a lopsided smile. “Hey, it’s happened before, and it’ll happen again.” Standing, she gives me a small nod. “Have a good night, Sutton. Best of luck to you figuring out your crap with that boy.”
“Thanks,” I mutter before I turn and walk out.
There’s nothing more I’d like right now than to run outside to the parking lot and jump into his arms. I know he’s still here. Waiting to make sure I’m safe. But then I remember that if his ex hadn’t dumped him to begin with…none of this would be happening.
So, instead, I text Ryann and ask her to come pick my pathetic ass up.
22
Hunter
The guys and I climb out of my truck, heading into the auditorium for dress rehearsal. And thanks to Watson telling us the wrong time because he was the one who actually read the email, we’re here forty minutes early. By the time he figured it out, we were pulling into the damn parking lot. So, we said fuck it, and here we are.
The past week has dragged some major ass. Ever since I watched Ryann pull up in her old, beat-up car, pick Sutton up outside of Peaches, and drive away, I haven’t seen Sutton. Watson and Ryann must be getting closer because she told him that the owner of Peaches, Ginger, fired Sutton that night. I should be happy. After all, I didn’t want her working there anyway. But instead, I feel guilty for fucking up her income and what was paying for her medication.
Here I am, ready to face a girl who might or might not hate me. One I can’t get off my fucking mind.
“Huff, are you drunk?” Watson scoffs, looking at Cade. “Please say no. It’s one fucking night out of your life where we need to show up and get it done right. It’s for charity.”
“Technically, it’s two nights,” Cade says. “Tonight and tomorrow. But, no, I’m not drunk. A little buzzed—that’s all.” Reaching up, he squeezes Watson’s nipple. “Don’t be a Negative Nelly, Watson.”
“Fuck off,” Watson grumbles, rubbing where Cade assaulted him. “Just keep it together. This entire thing is for Brody’s foundation. Let’s not embarrass one of our own, got it?”
“You heard Miss Jolene,” Cade drawls. “She said I had the best moves out of all y’all. So, piss off, sit back, and let me carry this shit while you all suck balls.”
Pulling the door open, Link looks back at both of them. “Just shut up, would you?”
“Sorry, Cap,” Watson utters, and Cade, of course, says nothing.
Walking into the auditorium, I look onstage, and when I do, my breath hitches.
“Holy shit,” I mutter.
I stare as Sutton dances by herself. Jolene is standing off to the side, observing her, bobbing her head up and down randomly, and jotting notes on a pad of paper. She moves, and I swear the world stands still. Every set of eyes in this entire place is drawn to her, nothing but the sound of the music playing as she gracefully moves around.
Her presence is big. So big that she’d easily fill any room she was in. And I love that about her.
When the music finally stops and I watch her chest rise and fall as she inhales sharply, she looks my way. Her shoulders slump, and suddenly, she doesn’t look as graceful. Instead, she looks like my Little Bird. MybrokenLittle Bird.
How did I ever hate something so beautiful? I wasted years not allowing myself to fully see her, afraid I’d fall for the girl my brother loved. And look where it got me. Here, tortured and wanting to kiss her.
Sutton
My whole world stands still when I stop dancing and my eyes spot Hunter in the crowd. My pulse races, and every cell in my body feels his stare. It’s like my entire being wants to give in to him, and my mind is the only part of me sane enough to know that I can’t. It’s been close to a week since we saw each other last, and yet none of it—walking away, stayingaway, or even getting through the days—has gotten easier. I miss him. I miss him so much that my entire body is feeling the loss.
Looking away, I make my way off the stage. But not before Jolene stops me.
“Great job, Sutton. I have to say, watching you dance is quite magical. I have a few notes. We can go over them later.”
I give her a small smile. “Thank you.”
I practically feel Poppy’s eyes in my skin. Lasering me to death like I’m a damn target or something.
Now that he’s had time away from me, I’m sure he’s seeing things more clearly. And he has Paige back, so I guess I helped him achieve his goal after all. He got the girl. And I…well, I got a bunch of insane information about my mother. Information I don’t know what to do with.
