But he didn’t want to be with her. He clearly had a secret, and that secret felt like an immoveable mountain between them.
She turned right, CJ’s coming into view up ahead. Even from here, she could see how busy the bar was. Cars packed the road. People were coming and going from the entrance.
It felt strange coming to the bar as an adult. She’d lived her entire childhood in Amber Ridge. She’s walked past CJ’s so many times but never gone inside.
When she pulled into the parking lot, she didn’t get straight out. She didn’t even take off her seat belt. She just sat there, a million thoughts playing over in her head.
Sometimes she wondered what would have happened if she’d never left. Would the pain of her parents dying have eased faster? Would she and Indie have grown closer rather than apart? And would the White family eventually have stopped blaming her for their son’s death?
Maybe some of that stuff might have happened. Or maybe she would have drowned. Maybe as a young eighteen-year-old who felt responsible for the deaths of those closest to her, the water would have lapped over her head, and she would have sunk to the bottom of the ocean.
A knock on the window made her jump and turn to see Noah on the other side of the glass.
Time was up.
She unclipped her seat belt, grabbed her cell and keys, and climbed out.
But it wasn’t just Noah outside her car. A woman with blond hair stood beside him.
Noah tugged Bonnie into his arms. “Hey, Bon.”
She dug her head into Noah’s chest. It was strange how so much time could pass, and they could both change into completely different people, yet a hug from her big brother still felt exactly the same every time.
When she finally pulled back, Noah turned to the woman beside him. “Bonnie, this is Addie. Addie, Bonnie.”
Addie’s blue eyes scrunched as she smiled. “Bonnie, I’ve heard so much about you.” She stepped forward and embraced her.
Bonnie hugged her back. “I’ve heard a lot about you too. It’s good to finally meet you.”
When Addie pulled away, she was still smiling. And Bonnie could see everything that had drawn her brother to the woman. There was a warmth in her. And when she smiled, it was with her entire face, including her eyes.
Noah studied Bonnie’s temple. “The bruise okay?”
“There’s barely a mark anymore.” It was true. How much time had passed? Two weeks? Enough for the bruise to almost disappear.
“And nothing else has happened since The Pit?” Noah asked.
“You know I would have told you if it had.”
He looked at her like he wasn’t sure if that was true. “Come on.”
They headed toward the entrance, and the closer they got to the door, the harder her heart beat against her ribs.
Why was she so nervous? This was her family.
But that wasn’t all it was. It was the history that they shared and she’d missed. Her family and the new lives they’d created were a reminder of everything she’d left behind.
They stepped inside the bar and surprisingly, the place wasn’t too full. Sure, it was busy. But compared to the bars in San Francisco, it was manageable.
Noah held Addie’s hand, but with his other, he touched the small of Bonnie’s back and led her toward two standing tables that had been pushed together.
She sucked in a sharp breath at the sight of everyone. Indie, Jesse, Becket, Clara. And all their partners.
Becket threw up his hands. “Bon-Bon! It’s been so damn long. Missed your favorite cousin?” He grinned and pulled her against his broad chest, and it was exactly what she needed to break the ice.
When Becket pulled back, he introduced her to Sky. Then Bonnie went around and greeted everyone before settling beside Indie with a can of Sun Cruiser.
“How are you settling back into Amber Ridge?” Clara asked from the other side of Indie.
