“Listen, and I mean really listen to me, Collin. Because you’ve shown me who you are too many times for me to be considering this.” I held my hands up when he started to argue. “But I’m going to talk to her, because I know that she’s hurting, and she doesn’t want to leave town with things as bad as they are with you. But I’m warning you—if you so much as hurt her ever again, you’ll be begging for my fist in your face because that will be a reprieve compared to what I’ll do to you.”
He nodded and sniffed a few times, and then he lunged forward and wrapped his arms around me. “Thank you. All I’m asking for is a chance.”
“Well, consider yourself lucky that you’re getting one, and don’t fuck it up. Wren deserves better. She deserves a brother she can count on. So step the fuck up to the plate and do it.”
“I will. I know my word is shit right now, but I’m going to make things right with Wren. And I know she loves you, so how do I make things right with you?”
“You start with her. Because if she’s good, you and I will figure it out.” I patted him on the back, slightly stunned by how humbled he’d been, before he finally pulled back.
“Thank you. I’m going to do better.”
I wasn’t sure he was capable, but for Wren’s sake, I hoped he was.
twenty-nine
. . .
Wren
“How do you feel about leaving?”Lulu asked as we sipped champagne at the bridal store for Henley’s final dress fitting.
She was in back getting her dress on as we waited for her to come out.
“I have mixed feelings,” I said. “I don’t like how I left things after the last competition. I want to face that, you know? And show people that I’m not afraid to ride my horse. But I’m also feeling more content than I’ve ever been since I’ve been home.”
“It’s temporary,” Eloise said, leaning her head on my shoulder. “You go back and you kick some ass, and when you’re no longer feeling the need to kick ass, you come home.” She paused and added, “But I’m going to miss you, Wren.”
“We are not doing that.” Emilia threw her hands in the air. “It is not goodbye. We’re going to see you soon. That’s it. I refuse to say goodbye. I just refuse to do it.”
I chuckled. “We don’t have to say goodbye. I hate goodbyes.”
“Shit. I feel like we’re sending our child off to summer camp, but she might be gone for years.” Lulu stood and started pacing in a circle. “And Rafe said the training and competitions areintense and that you’ll be working all the time. So how the hell are we going to do book club now? We’re too invested in you, Wren Waterstone. Too damn invested.” She sniffed.
“Oh my gosh. Are you crying? This is not good. We are not crying,” Emilia insisted as her bottom lip started to quiver. “And you said you could still do book club via FaceTime.”
“Did you just say ‘via’?” Lulu laughed as she wiped at the tears running down her cheek. “That’s so formal. ‘Via FaceTime.’”
Now we were all laughing, just as Henley walked out with Ellie by her side. Her mother was in Paris and would be coming for the wedding, but Ellie was like a second mother to Henley, and she’d come to all the fittings.
Henley was breathtaking. She wore a strapless princess-style gown. The bodice was fitted in white satin, and the bottom was a full tulle skirt that swished from side to side when she walked.
She came to a stop when we all gasped at the sight of her.
“Are you guys crying?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.
“You’re just really beautiful, Hen,” Lulu said, and we all swiped at our tears and moved toward her to take her in.
“You’re the most beautiful bride. I can’t believe I’m missing your wedding.” I shrugged as a few tears escaped my eyes, startling the hell out of me.
“You’ll be out there making us all proud, and I’ll be checking my phone as much as I can for updates.” Henley squeezed my hand. “I’m proud of you for putting yourself back out there, and wherever it leads, we will be cheering you on the whole way.”
“Thanks, guys.” I swiped my face and held her hand before stepping back to take her in.
“Let me get a picture of all of you together with Henley in her dress,” Ellie said. “That way we’ll have wedding pictures with you in them, too, Wren.”
I nodded, and we all stood around Henley as Ellie held up her phone.
“Say ‘Romance book club,’” Eloise said, and we all shouted out the words on a laugh.
