All four of us have been waiting for her, and now we seem stuck in the wave of this bomb the wife just set off.
Daisy is the one to swoop in again, taking Drew by the arm and luring her back toward us.
The wife stills. Out of place. And so much more mournful than when she first approached Drew.
Adam and Greyson move in on Drew as soon as she’s close enough.
I want to join them, but I also don’t want to overwhelm her.
She takes their gentle touches with eyes glittering from unshed tears.
A pang drives deep into my chest. I’ve always hated seeing her cry.
I don’t get the chance to swoop in and keep them from falling because Daisy shoos Adam and Greyson off then turns to me, saying, “I’m taking her home. You guys can handle the festival without her.”
Not a question.
I’m glad Daisy is able to step in for her sister now.
She hadn’t been able to as much when they were children.
She had her own expectations to fight against in their home.
I nod and watch them go.
Now, it’s the waiting game. And by god, I want her to come to me when her sister is done having her say.
While I wait, I approach the wife, who’s hugging herself and looking lost. “Hey.”
She blinks at me, and I don’t have to wonder how she sees me. The tattoos, the leather, I get it. “Are you staying at the Lodge?”
Recognition breaks, she’s seen me there. “Yes.”
“Why don’t I get someone to drive you back?”
She nods. “Thank you.”
I wave Jacob over, one of my shift leaders, and hand her off to him before stalking around the festival.
I could have driven her myself, but I doubt she wants my broody intimidation.
I wouldn’t have been able to ask the intrusive questions swimming around my brain.
Like,Why would you offer her that job back? Why now? Don’t you see she’s better off here? That she’s finally breathing again?
And the worst one—Don’t you see she’s in my arms again?
No, it’s better to save us both from that conversation.
Everyone else at the festival has gone back to enjoying it as if nothing’s happened.
As if my world’s not about to implode on me again.
As if Drew didn’t just have a life-altering conversation with the wife of the man she’d loved and lied to her.
My heart is aching by the time I make it back to Adam and Greyson, they’re both still hovering together as if they’re waiting for me to have this much needed talk.
Adam runs a hand through his hair, still staring after Drew as Daisy leads her away.
