Her nod meant everything. “Yes.”
I kissed her then. Not the hot and desperate way like I had the night before, just the kind of kiss that builds trust one careful breath at a time. For once, she wasn’t running. And for once, I wasn’t afraid to be caught.
EPILOGUE
KACEN
Ruby Nelson has called me six times in two days. That’s how I know I’m in trouble.
The last time she got this persistent, I ended up hauling lumber for her “community project” that turned out to be a surprise wedding venue my senior year of high school. I swore I’d learned my lesson. Apparently not, and I’ve only been in town less than a week.
I stare at the carved pumpkin emoji in her last text, followed by too many exclamation points to be legal.
Ruby: Can’t wait to see you tonight! Wear a costume!
My fingers tighten around the steering wheel. The truck hums beneath me as it makes the climb up the winding road to my brother Kingston’s cabin. It’s been ten years since I’ve been back. Ten years since I left this place behind with a chip on my shoulder and too much guilt in my chest.
I shouldn’t be coming back now. But when your big brother who you owe everything to asks for help, you drop everything.
Ruby has been relentless since she saw me the day I pulled into town when I stopped to grab coffee. She said she was throwing a Halloween party, and I was expected to be there. What she didn’t mention until the end of our conversation was that it’s also a going-away celebration for Miles and Kinley, and that “everyone will be there.”
Everyone. Including her.
I sigh and hit call on my brother’s number. Kingston picks up on the second ring.
“Hey,” he says, voice calm like always. “Almost here?”
“Yeah,” I mutter. “Heading up now. Remind me again why I agreed to Ruby’s party?”
“Because I can’t be there and one of us should, especially if you're going to be the face of the company.”
“That’s not a good reason.”
“It’s the only reason that works on you,” he says, amused. “You know she won’t stop until you show your face.”
“Face is one thing,” I grumble. “She said it’s a costume party.”
“She tell you what to wear?”
“Yeah. Said something about ‘lightening up’ and sent me a cowboy hat emoji. I told her that’s not a costume. She said, ‘Add flannel and a smile, sweetie.’”
Kingston laughs, deep and easy. “That’s Ruby for you. You’ll survive one night. Maybe it’s time you faced the town again.”
“I didn’t leave because of the town.”
“No,” he says softly. “You left because you couldn’t stand yourself in it.”
The words hit too close. He’s not wrong, but that doesn’t mean I want to hear it.
I tighten my jaw. “I’m not looking for redemption.”
“Didn’t say you were,” he answers. “But maybe it’s time to stop pretending you don’t need it.”
“Spare me the therapy, doc.”
He chuckles. “I’ll save it for when you call me later saying Ruby roped you into cleanup duty.”
“She better not.”
