“You’re a psychopath,” Stephanie breathed. “Juno, you’re not safe with him.” The door opened again, and West stepped out. “Neither of them.”
Turning, I leaned back against Langston and shook my head. “No, Stephanie, I’m not safe here. And you know what? That’s okay, because I have no plans to ever return. I wanted to warn you about the miserable life you’re signing yourself up for, to offer a way out, but you know what?” I looked between her and Eric, sadness welling in my heart. “You two deserve each other. Good luck with all that, and do not ever contact me again.”
Stepping out of Langston’s hold, I flipped them both the bird and stormed down the alley, headed toward the street.
It was time to leave Banks and never return.
25
WEST
We were both worried about her. Giving her a little space, Langston and I walked side by side, just a few steps behind Juno as she stomped down the empty sidewalk. I looked over my shoulder, hoping that asshole Eric would chase after her so we could finish what she’d started.
The image of his swollen, bleeding nose had my lips curving upward. Our girl was a badass. I just hoped she knew that too.
She hadn’t given us the rundown of what happened in the alley, despite Langston champing at the bit, ready to demand answers. Probably so he could feel justified in killing the son of a bitch. My friend no doubt felt responsible that she had to defend herself alone while we were being held hostage inside by three older women very interested in our lifestyle.
One realized she wasn’t our type and started showing us pictures of her grandkids. That was why we didn’t initially notice Juno wasn’t in the room, and neither were dipshit and his bride. Langston realized it first, cutting off mid-sentence while scanning the room, then storming off. I apologized for his abrupt departure and raced to catch up with him. It took him all of twoseconds, and looking at the tracking app on his phone, to realize she was there but not.
Even if we didn’t know the full story, we had her back no matter what. But the way she wouldn’t look at us made me wonder if something Eric or someone else at the dinner said had hit home, making her question us or even herself.
Hand shoved into the pocket of the uncomfortable-as-hell slacks, I pulled out my phone, going straight to the train schedule, hoping like hell we weren’t too late to catch the last one out of this hellhole.
“It looks like the last train tonight to Anchorage leaves in thirty minutes,” I stated, already tapping on the purchase button for three tickets. “We can make it if we pack up fast.”
“Juno,” Langston called out, making her stop and spin around. The yellow glow of a nearby streetlamp highlighted the wet streaks marking her face.
My heart clenched at the sight, desperate to hold her. Not even trying to stop myself, I closed the distance between us and wrapped her in a tight hug. “Based on what just happened, I’m assuming our invite to the wedding tomorrow is revoked.” Juno and I both huffed out a laugh. “Do you want to leave tonight?”
Her cheek moved along my chest with a slow nod. “Yes, I want to get out of here now. Likenow, now.”
“We can stop by the hotel, grab our things, and get to the train station in time. That puts us in Anchorage late, so we can get a hotel there and?—”
“I want to go home,” she said, her voice cracking. “Can we leave for Anchor Bay tonight?” She chewed on her lower lip and looked to the concrete, shifting on her feet. “Would that be dangerous since it would be late?”
Langston scoffed and pulled her to him. “I’ll be the one behind the wheel, remember, so we’ll be fine. It’s not ideal, butI can make it work. Iwillmake it work to get you home if that’s what you want.”
“It is.”
The hesitation in her voice had me turning her face up to mine. “What is it? I sense that something was said or happened that’s making you… question.”
Fresh tears leaked from the corners of her eyes, confirming my suspicion. “I thought I was healing, that I could be here and be okay. I’m such an idiot?—”
“Watch how you talk about our girl there, Juno. That train ride will suck with a sore ass.”
She rolled her eyes at Langston before continuing. “It took just a few sentences from my stepfather to undo all the progress I’d made these last few months. I was outside by myself getting some air, and I just thought that maybe this is too soon. If I let his words affect me when Iknowthey aren’t true, then maybe I need to keep doing the healing… alone.”
With the side of my thumb, I brushed away her tears.
“I agree that you still have healing to do, but not alone. Please don’t push us away because some asshat knew exactly what to say to weaken your defenses. You still feeling the sting of his words doesn’t mean you haven’t been healing, nor does it negate the hard work you’ve put in; it just shows you that there’s more to do. It will take time and talking through your feelings and reservations. Remember, Juno, you don’t have to do this alone. Not anymore.”
Her wet eyelashes fanned up and down. I could almost see the war going on behind her gorgeous eyes. She wanted to believe me but had done it alone for so long that it was hard to ask for help. If she was like me, the fear wasn’t in asking for help but in opening yourself up for disappointment. Exposing your weaknesses only to be turned away by the person who said they would be there for you.
“We’re here, Juno,” Langston said, coming to stand on her other side. “No matter what. But don’t let some asshole diminish everything you’ve done to this point to survive and move on. He doesn’t get that power over you; no one does.”
She sucked in a tight breath. “You’re both right. It was just a lot tonight, and I went right back to how I would always handle high-stress situations—alone.” Wiping her cheeks, she stood up straighter, a soft smile on her lips. “Let’s go home. I’m over this place. For good.”
Interlacing her fingers with mine, I guided us toward the hotel. If we wanted to make that final train, then we couldn’t waste any time. Plus, I wanted to get as far away from the rehearsal dinner as possible. It was taking everything I had not to turn around and find that stepdad of hers. No wonder Juno had confidence issues; all the men she grew up around were toxic as shit. It’s a wonder she ever got the courage to break free.
