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Mikel kissed her nose before clapping Atlas on the back. “Congrats, man.”
Atlas’s smile was so perfect, it was blinding. “Thanks.”
Bently, sheriff of Shattered Cove and Jasmine’s oldest brother, approached, his arm around his gorgeous wife, Belle. “You knocked my baby sister up?”
Atlas pulled Jasmine into his arms, her back to his front with his hand over her belly lovingly. “I did.”
“I guess this calls for a round of shots!” Bently announced. “Charli, shots for everyone, except our expecting mama and Mikel. Give them the good sparkling cider.” He winked.
Charli and Finn were behind the bar, setting up shot glasses on trays as Emma pushed farther into the room. Her friends’ happiness was bittersweet. She’d watched them all fall in love. It hadn’t been easy. And after seeing Remy and Mikel, she’d thought there might be hope for Link and her. But it wasn’t to be. Her gaze pulled towards his muscular frame like a magnet at the other end of the bar. His back stiffened as if he could feel her gaze. His black orbs flicked to hers, locking her in a secret stare. Regret flashed before he blinked and turned towards Rachel again. If Link’s smile directed at her was any sign, whatever Emma thought they’d shared was all in her head. Her imagination had gone wild. Their time truly had been a fantasy.
Remy’s brother, Andre, leaned down to kiss his wife, Mia, on the lips. Rachel’s eyes darted from them to Link, hopeful.
Emma’s stomach clenched, spinning into knots. She needed to get out of here. She pushed her way to the tray of awaiting shots, grabbing the first one and downing it before grabbing another. Charli gave her a questioning look.
Emma climbed onto the barstool, holding her glass high. “To Jasmine and Atlas. May you enjoy every moment with your family. Your kids are lucky to have you as parents. And you all—Remy, Mia, Belle, Charli, and all the men who fell at your feet to worship the ground you walk on.” Everyone laughed as emotion burned her chest.
“You guys fought the odds and created a relationship and a family that you should all be proud of. You are an inspiration. May the rest of us assholes be as lucky as you.” She tipped the drink back, the alcohol burning its way down her throat as she climbed to the ground.
Everyone else grabbed their shots and downed them. Remy cast her a questioning glance, but Emma only smiled wider, hoping she didn’t look as crazed as she felt. Her gaze traveled the room, memorizing the happy faces of her friends and some of Link’s. Reese was here with his wife. Mason stood near the edge of the room, surveying the crowd like the ex-Navy SEAL he was, always the protector.
Rachel’s hand rested over Link’s chest. His hand wrapped around her hip. If she was the person who made him happy, Emma had to let go once and for all. Her eyes snagged on Link’s. She was caught in the depths of his regret-filled black eyes like a mermaid in a net. Only she couldn’t sing her way out of this. She’d tried. No, it was him who’d held the power. And it was time she took some of it back.
She turned around, weaving through the laughing couples busy stealing kisses and whispering secrets. Couples who’d seen the deepest, darkest depths of one another and stayed. They’d fought for this love. But you couldn’t win when only one of you was willing to go to war.
Emma walked away and didn’t turn back as she hopped on her motorcycle. She drove out of the gravel parking lot, skidding over bits of rock as she sped down the road, heading towards the highway.
She’d park her bike at the airport, and Callie could have it picked up for her and shipped to California. She wouldn’t be coming back—not for a very long time. There was nothing here for her anymore.
She pressed harder on the gas, trying to outrun the pain tearing what was left of her heart to shreds. Shattered Cove whizzed by until it disappeared out her side mirror. It was really over. She couldn’t return until she got over him. Until it stopped hurting to see him and know she could never kiss those lips again or feel his heart beating against hers with nothing between them.
This was truly the end.
33
Link
Link broke away from his friends, searching the room as he walked over to the bar. Charli slid a cold beer over to him. He caught it, immediately reminded of how many times he’d sat in this very seat next to his father and enjoyed a drink and some laughs. All their conversations had been surface. Unless Link outright asked for advice, his father had always held his tongue, except for his passive-aggressive humor.
“You doing okay?” Charli asked.
He swiveled his head, glancing around the room once more. “Have you seen Em?”
He’d been a complete asshole to her. And after he’d had some time to think, he’d realized there was more truth to her words than naught. Link had been a fucking coward when it came to her. His father had given him one job, and that was to protect Emma. To look out for her. And he’d royally fucked that up after touching her.
“I think she left a while ago,” Charli answered.
“Left?” Emma was gone? All their friends were still here, albeit getting ready to head out before Finn and Charli had to open the bar for their actual customers.
“Mason said she took off like a bat out of hell. Did something happen on your trip?” Charli asked.
Link stared at the glass bottle in his hand. Condensation dripped, pooling between his skin and the glass. A heavy weight crashed over his shoulders. Emma is gone. That look in her eyes across the room, the resignation that had flashed in those soulful blues. It never bothered him in all the years she’d come and gone to Shattered Cove without even seeing him most of the time. Because I avoided her. Distanced himself from the illicit temptation. I’m a selfish prick. Guilt cinched around him with burning ropes of regret. What have I done?
“A lot happened,” he finally answered Charli’s question.
Her eyes filled with sympathy mixed with anger as she leaned in. “Tell me you didn’t.”
“Didn’t what?” he asked defensively, suddenly aware of the few people in hearing distance. He didn’t want anyone else knowing how badly he’d fucked up. Or the fact that he’d slept with the woman they all knew as his sister.
