“Nothing is insurmountable,” Keats says. “I know my husband. He will give you another chance. He’s pissed because I’ve been hurting so bad, but he isn’t unsympathetic. He was really upset when we found out what happened to you.”
I clamp my brother on the shoulder. “I have missed you so much, and I hope, in time, we can get back on track.” I need to work through a lot of my anger, but I’m determined to do it—for me—and so I can recover my relationship with my brother and my family.
Keaton pulls me into a hug, and I reach over, grabbing Keanu into our circle. “I’m going to need you.” My voice is choked with emotion. “Out of everyone, I will need you both.” Especially if I don’t have Presley.
“We’re here for you,” Keanu says.
“Whatever you need,” Keats adds. “I have already talked with Austen. I can move back to Cambridge with you if you like. I can do my show from anywhere, and Austen is busy now the season has started back, so we can make it work.”
“You’d do that for me?”
“I would do anything for you. You only have to ask.”
***
After an energetic game of basketball with my brothers, we all go our separate ways to shower and freshen up before meeting our parents for dinner in the dining hall. I’m quiet during dinner, just listening to my family talk about their lives. The banter flows naturally, like anytime we are all together, and I hate how I still feel so much like an outsider. I guess it’s not something that can be resolved overnight either.
The stark contrasts between me and my brothers have never been more obvious. They are all married. All in loving committed relationships. Some of them with kids. I’m the only one who is still studying. The only one without that special person in my life, and not for the first time, I regret the things I said to Presley. I blamed her when she was only a little kid too. It’s not her fault, and I’m ashamed for how I’ve treated her. I wouldn’t blame her if she never spoke to me again.
“Can we take a walk?” Kev asks after dinner ends.
“Sure.”
We say goodbye to the others and head off outside, following one of the less popular paths. We don’t talk at first, but it’s not awkward. Keven has never been a big talker anyway. “I spoke to Nancy before dinner,” he says, and I arch a brow. “I wanted to check if it was okay to bring this up. She gave me the green light.”
“I’m all ears,” I say, purposely rolling my shoulders to loosen the knot there.
“Clayton is dead, and we have the rest of the assholes in custody.”
I slam to a halt. “What?” I splutter. “How did it happen? When did it happen?”
He jerks his shoulder. “Let’s keep walking.”
I walk beside him in a daze. I’ve dreamed of this day, but in my visions, I was the one to gut that motherfucker Clay until all the air left his body. I listen in shocked silence as he starts to explains.
“Before I explain, Presley is fine.”
My eyes widen in alarm, and intense pressure sits on my chest.
“Kent.” He grabs my arm. “She isfine. I would never let anything happen to her.”
“She was involved?”
He nods. “It was Presley’s idea to use herself as bait to lure Clay out of hiding.”
“And you fucking agreed?” I shout, glaring at my brother. He has the audacity to chuckle. “Bet you wouldn’t find it funny if Cheryl offered herself up as bait to a psychotic rapist!”
His chuckles die out. “That’s a bit too close to home, brother, and we’re getting sidetracked. We set up a sting operation, and Presley got Clay to admit to everything. We have it all on tape. Plus we got all copies of the recording from the bar and the night they attacked you. The deal Presley made with my boss was her help in exchange for them dropping all the charges against you, so you don’t need to worry about anything coming back to hurt you. Mom also spoke to your boss at the law office. They were really understanding, and they have offered you an internship next summer. They also said if you wanted to take those bastards to trial, they would represent you.”
I’m knocked sideways by all those revelations, but Presley is the priority.
“How did Clay die and was Presley hurt?”
“I shot the bastard because he had his gun aimed at Presley,” he admits. “She walked away with a few minor scratches and some bruising. That’s all.”
I grab my brother into a hug. “Thank you for taking care of her.”
“She’s your girl. I was always going to look after her.” He glances at me as we walk again. “Everyone has been looking out for her. The whole family has been involved.”
