“My plus-one ran long before I left the city,” I said. “Told myself I’d make it work this time. But I never did.”
Log squinted. “This time, eh? Too many, or the same one for too long?”
“A little of both.”
He chuckled. “Pathetic.”
I sighed. “I know, Log. I know.”
He gave a small shake of his head. “Your brother’s over the moon you’re back. Officially, this time. He says he missed you.”
That, I didn’t need to be told.
The Lazy Moose turning into a wedding venue, the long days ahead…I didn’t mind the work. Never had. It was the talk that came after. That was the thorn I could never pull out.
Log’s expression mellowed, but he wore a weight that didn’t feel like his own.
“Why you lookin’ so worried?” I asked. “El and I are good. We’re fine, Log.”
“I know. But after all that time had passed, you called me first. Not him.” He lifted a brow. “That stung. He won’t say it, but it did.”
I remembered. Elia had reached out when he met Claire. I’d pretended it wasn’t my number and handed the phone to a buddy.
“I didn’t mean to hurt him,” I said quietly. “I just…wasn’t ready.”
“I get it,” Log said. “But you were here last Christmas. And for his wedding. And when Dylan was born.”
“Yeah.”
“But Noah, it’s more than just showing up.”
Pressure had a way of finding me, no matter where I went. But the worst part? Log wasn’t wrong.
“Things aren’t the same.” I sighed. “And they never will be.”
“Maybe.” Log shrugged. “But family’s family. And El? He wants the Lucases to be whole again. No baggage. You’re still his little brother, Noah. The only one he’s got.”
I stared at the ground.
Some things were too wrecked to fix.
I just nodded because it was easier than answering. Log saw right through it, but he let it go.
For now.
3
MAYA
“Wherewereyou?”
Sheryn stomped up to me with her arms crossed, looking exactly like a bride-to-be on a tight schedule. “I waited at the café forever. You ditched me for lunch, Maya!”
She had every right to be mad at me. I’d promised her.
But…if only she knew.
While she was sipping iced tea and picking out cake flavors, I was making my way back to the place that sent me to prison.
