“Because…” Tag waited, his voice uncertain. “Laurel?”
I said nothing, just lifted a shoulder.
“Why was it a hard day?”
“I—it’s the dumbest excuse for a kiss ever. So it doesn’t even matter.”
He waited a few beats then asked, his voice softer. “You were lonely, weren’t you?”
I shrugged. “I just…wasn’t thinking straight…with the wedding and all the couples. It’s stupid.”
“It’s not stupid.” Tag pulled his hat off his head, jamming his fingers into his ash-brown curls. “I should’ve checked on you.” He squinted as he thought for a moment. “Were you sober?”
“Very.” Cautiously, my eyes flicked to his.
“I can only imagine how you might be feelin’ right now.”
“Sick to my stomach.”
“Alright. We’ll keep this between us…for now. I need you to shake on it though. I don’t wanna be an accomplice to any fallout when word gets back to her husband.”
He held out his hand, and I lifted my palm to his.
“You have my word, Tag. Nothing else will happen.”
He looked regretful, sad for me, as he dropped my hand and took a step back. “I’m gonna get back to Bea. And you better pray her questions aren’t too direct, ‘cause I won’t lie to my wife.”
“Fair enough.” I turned to go.
“And Jesse?”
I looked back.
“We’re best friends.” He settled his cowboy hat back on his head. “Next time you’re havin’ a bad day, come tell me. Maybe we can stop you from doin’ any more stupid shit.”
Despite it all, a small smile lifted my lips.
SIXTEEN
Hollie
Gravel rumbled beneath my Volvo as we crawled down the drive at Meadowbrook Ranch. My eyes burned from our sixteen hour travel day and anxiety had rubbed my nerves raw. When I finally parked the car in front of Cabin B, I sagged with relief. Tag and Bea moved into a cabin after the wedding to give themselves a little bit of privacy, which the girls and I would be ruining by staying in their secondary bedroom during our visit. I felt terrible barging in on newlyweds, but there weren't any other options since the suites in the big house were fully booked.
My eyes dragged my awareness to Cabin A—Jesse’s cabin—relieved to find the windows dark.
The girls didn’t wake up when I opened the door and stepped out. My back muscles unraveled and blood returned to my glutes as I stood upright and hobbled a few steps away from the car. I indulged in a long, delicious stretch, taking note of the stars in the sky. No sounds penetrated the night, save a thunderous roar of crickets and frogs—so different from our cul-de-sac in the suburbs.
Bea opened the front door of the cabin, whisper-squealing, “Hollie!”
“Bea!” I went toward the porch, holding my arms out for a hug. Meeting halfway, we embraced, and Bea buried her head into my shoulder. Before we could exchange words, her body shook with emotion. Her arms tightened around me. “I’m so happy to see you. You have no—idea what this means to me.”
Her frame was too thin, wisp-like in my arms.
I might not be able to fix a single thing about my own problems, but Icouldcare for her.Once upon a time, Bea and I were good friends. In highschool, she’d flop onto my bed and we’d talk late into the night. Maybe this time at Meadowbrook was a special chance to restore our relationship. The idea of being honest with her sent tingles of fear through my veins, but I tried not to think about it.
“I’m so glad I was able to come.” My fingers dropped to her flat tummy. “And you’re making me anaunt!”
She clasped my hand there. “I’m finally warming up to the idea.”
