They just moved him.
Out.
Gone.
Like he had never belonged there in the first place.
Silence hung for a second.
Heavy.
Awkward.
Embarrassing.
“I’m so—” I started.
“You good?”Wrecker asked Jude.
Jude nodded.
Wrecker turned, clapping his hands once.“Excitement over,” he called.“Back to the party!”And just like that, everything snapped back.
Music.
Voices.
Movement.
Like nothing had happened.
I was still standing behind Jude, pressed to his back, trying to process what the hell had just happened.
He turned and looked down at me.
“Let’s get some food,” Penny said, appearing at my side.
“And a drink,” Adley added from the other side.
Penny looked at her.“You’re pregnant.”
Adley shrugged.“But you two aren’t.You can drink for me.”They hooked their arms through mine like this was normal.Like I hadn’t just had my entire night flipped upside down.
“I got her,” Penny said to Jude.
He didn’t move.
“Jude,” she said softer, “I’ve got her.Go cool down, little brother.”
He looked at me and I didn’t know what to say.
Didn’t know how to say it.
“Macaroni salad,” Adley said suddenly.“I want macaroni salad.And cake.At least three slices since there are three flavors.”
She tugged on my arm.
Penny did the same.
