I’m in recovery now, and I want you to know, I don’t give a fuck if Thrasher gets done. I’ve only worked at the farm since last year, and I love my wife, Bec. I’m home with her whenever I’m not on shift. From what Jake’s said, Bec sounds a bit like you. Maybe the four of us could get dinner sometime? It’s okay if you don’t want to. I’m sorry it took so long for me to say sorry.
Colin Wintergreen
I let out a shaky breath and smile at Jake through my tears. “Thanks. For giving that to me. And for telling Colin to write it.”
“Doesn’t change what he did. You’re allowed to still be mad.”
“I’m not. He said sorry. That’s more than most people do.”
Jake squeezes my hand. “I know this town’s fucked, but there’s good people here, too.”
“Yeah, at least five.” I tuck the note into my purse and dab my eyes. “How’s my makeup?”
“Perfect.” He kisses me. “Ready to go meet Betty and her… I’m gonna guess, geologist husband?”
“Probably,” I say. “Even though all I really want to do is crawl back into bed with you and stay there forever.”
“Plenty of time for that after tomorrow.”
The passenger door swings wide, and Cece leans in. “Um, hello? Lovebirds? People are waiting?”
Jake and I climb out of the Uber.
“About time,” Betty says. “We already finished our drinks. They were shit, by the way. Don’t waste your money. I just got off the phone with Bryan. The cops are pushing the paperwork as hard as they can, but it’s taking its time.”
“No arrests tonight?” Davis asks.
“Unlikely.”
“Jesus,” I mutter. “This ‘hurry up and wait’ thing is killing me. I was hoping Thrasher would already be in the bin by now.”
Betty shakes her head. “Nope. My mate’s already at the party, and she says he’s there.”
My stomach twists. “Fuck.”
Jake moves toward me, but Cece gets in first, wrapping me in a fierce hug. “They’ll get theirs. Eventually.”
“Damn right,” Betty says coldly. “Shit, this is Gavin, by the way.”
She gestures at her husband, who gives an awkward wave.
“Hey, team,” he says, looking adorably nervous. “Nothing to contribute to the, uh, crime stuff, but happy to be here.”
“No one’s happy to be here,” Betty says. “But thanks, darling.”
Gavin beams at her, and I blink as fast as I can. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I’m pretty sure a sappy life-insurance commercial could make me weep like a baby right now.
“So, should we head off?” Betty asks. “Go lookhot and unbothered as best we can?”
Jake tugs at my dress strap. “Finally, Renaldo. Something I’m good at.”
I swat his hand, but I’m smiling. “We’ll see.”
“Betty’s right,” Cece says, her voice full of Joan of Arc fire. “And I’m gonna be Miss Manners to everyone inside that hotel, but if anyone, and I meananyone, tries to start shit with Ada?—”
“They’ll have to go through me,” Jake says. “But I’ll make sure you get your licks in, Cee.”
“On that note…” Davis says in his perpetually put-upon tone. “Let’s go to a fuckin’ high school reunion, shall we?”
