I wave as Jett guides us toward the tiki hut off to the side. We wait in line as the bartenders tend to other patrons.
“Your sister lives for volleyball.” Saylor’s barefoot in the sand, bright pink hair tied back in a high ponytail as she volleys the ball back and forth with Audrey.
Jett turns to watch as we wait. “Rumor is, the varsity volleyball coach is looking to step down in the next year or two. Say’s got her eyes on the position next.”
She shouts encouragement as she beams at Audrey.
“She’d be damn good at it.”
As I watch on, Jett orders us drinks. He hands me a bottle and I take it. Much like before, eyes track our every moment, and I’m ready for the stares to end. One of these days, I’ll be a regular resident of Silo Bay with an ordinary life no one will be able to gossip about.
Greer meets us at the edge of the picnic table, throwing her arms around me. “I’m so sorry.”
I squeeze her back. “Honey, you have nothing to be sorry about.”
“I shouldn’t have let you go alone.”
“As if you could’ve stopped me.” I pull back to look at her. “Besides, who would’ve guessed a psycho was in the alley?”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Promise,” I reassure her, squeezing her forearms. “Now, Jett, on the other hand.”
“Always has to be the hero,” Heath adds from his seat. “Dude, you’ve already got the girl. Leave that hero shit for us singles. Right, Levi?”
“Leave me out of this,” Levi grumbles.
“You need to get laid. Seriously, your broodiness is a mood killer.” Heath reaches his hand out for Jett. The two do the bro hug, handshake thing. “Glad you’re okay, man.”
Jett claps him on the back. “All good. Thanks to Officer Baldwin.”
Davis chokes on his beer. “Are you admitting I know my shit because you sure didn’t act like it then.”
“Still pissed at me?”
Jett filled me in on what happened after he found out I was missing. He said he pulled some strings with a military friend who had less than legal connections. Davis and Nate didn’t agree with his plan, but they still went along with it. I can see temperatures are still high between these two, and I hate that I’m the reason why.
I slide past Greer and round the table. Throwing my arms around Davis’s shoulder, I hug him. “Thank you, Davis. For everything you did. I wouldn’t be here without you and your team.”
He reaches up and taps my forearm. “Glad you’re okay, Wren. I never would’ve forgiven myself if anything happened to you.”
“It wouldn’t have been your fault, Davis.”
When I feel his shoulders relax, I squeeze him a little longer before releasing.
“To Wren and Jett.” Greer raises her glass.
“And second chances,” I add as we all clink drinks.
Waitresses bring pizzas and plates, placing them on the long table amongst buckets of beer sweating in the heat. Plates are filled as laughter rings out. Saylor and Audrey join us once they finish their little game.
Jett and Audrey have a moment; the sweet girl sheds a few tears as she checks in with her uncle. Hereassures her that he’s okay and promises not to step in front of any more bullets, unless it’s to protect me. To which Audrey asks if I have any more psycho exes lying in wait. Levi scolds her, but I find it humorous.
“I vote we make this a weekly tradition,” Heath says around a mouthful of food.
Greer reaches into her pocket and pulls out her phone. She types something on a screen as our phones ding around the table.
“Done.” She smiles proudly.
