I smile and kiss him again, quick and soft. "We should go. The pavilion’s going to be busy."
He nods, but not before stealing one more kiss that leaves me smiling despite the nerves fluttering in my stomach. We head out to the Jeep, the night air warm against my skin. The drive to High Tide Pavilion is short but filled with the kind of easy conversation that’s become normal between us. He tells me about the time his brothers tried to sneak into a concert when they were teenagers and got caught by security. I tell him about the first time I heard Gia Golding on the radio and how her voice made me pull over to listen. The pavilion comes into view, lights strung across the outdoor stage area, the sound of the crowd already carrying over the dunes.
It’s busy. Really busy. People everywhere, families with blankets and couples holding hands, the sound of food trucks mixing with the low thump of pre-show music. The stage is lit up bright, speakers already humming. Strings of lights crisscross overhead. I can hear laughter and chatter from every direction. Jace takes my hand the second we step out of the Jeep, his fingers lacing through mine like it’s the most natural thing in the world. He scans the crowd, his eyes sharp as he looks for his brothers and father. Crewe texted that they’d be near the back left of the seating area, close enough to the stage to see but far enough back to talk without being overheard.
We haven’t even made it twenty feet when I hear familiar voices calling our names. Melissa and Brooke. They spot us from nearone of the food trucks and wave, already heading our way with bright smiles. I glance at Jace and he squeezes my hand once, a silent reminder to stay calm. We can’t look like we’re on a mission. We have to blend in.
"Sadie! Jace!" Melissa calls, pulling me into a quick hug when they reach us. Brooke does the same, her eyes sparkling. "You two look amazing. That dress is perfect on you, Sadie. And Jace, that shirt is doing things. How are you?"
"We’re good," I say, trying to sound casual even as my heart races. "Excited for the concert. Gia Golding is one of my favorites."
Brooke nods enthusiastically. "Same. And did you hear? There’s some surprise. Something big. The whole town is buzzing about it. I can’t wait."
I force a smile, trying to act excited even though my stomach is in knots. "That sounds amazing. I wonder what it is."
Melissa leans in a little, lowering her voice like she’s sharing a secret. "Rumor is it’s something personal. Something about her life or a new project. Either way, it’s going to be a night to remember. You two should come find us after. We’re set up near the front with some of the club crowd."
Jace smiles, all charm and ease. "We’ll try. Enjoy the show."
They wave and head off toward the seating area, still chatting excitedly. I watch them go, my hand still in Jace's. The pavilion is even busier now, people moving in waves toward the stage. Music starts up from the speakers, a low thump that vibrates through the ground. I can feel the energy of the crowd, the anticipation. But under it all is the nervous flutter in my chest. We still haven’t found his brothers or Billy. The plan’s in motionbut nothing feels certain. And I’m here, dressed up for a concert that’s really a cover for something much bigger, holding the hand of a man I’ve fallen for harder than I ever expected.
Jace tugs me gently toward the back left of the seating area, his eyes still scanning. "Almost there," he says quietly. "Crewe said they’d be near the big oak tree on the edge. Stay close."
I nod and let him lead, my free hand smoothing the dress again. The fabric feels soft under my fingers. The lights overhead cast everything in a dreamy glow. The ocean is visible beyond the pavilion, dark and endless. I’m excited. I’m nervous. I really love Jace. And tonight, everything changes. I hope we’re ready for whatever comes next.
21
Jace
We weave through the crowd at High Tide Pavilion, my hand tight around Sadie's as the lights from the stage cast everything in a warm glow. The Summer Nights Concert’s in full swing already, the low thump of pre-show music vibrating through the ground and mixing with the chatter of hundreds of people spread across blankets and chairs. The ocean is beyond the dunes, its steady rhythm a constant backdrop to the laughter and conversations swirling around us. I scan the back left of the seating area, looking for the big oak tree Crewe mentioned in his text. My brothers are here. All of them except Nash and Sin, who are still out there somewhere, taken by the same people who forced my father into hiding all those years ago. The thought sits heavy in my chest, but Sadie's hand in mine keeps me grounded. She looks beautiful tonight in that pale pink dress, the fabric moving with every step she takes. I kissed her before we left the safe house and I already want to do it again.
We spot them near the oak tree, a cluster of familiar figures standing far enough back from the main crowd to talk without being overheard. Crewe’s there first, tall and serious as always,his arms crossed as he watches the stage. Colt stands beside him, stoic as usual. Banks is quieter, leaning against the tree trunk with his hands in his pockets, but his eyes are sharp as he takes everything in. They all look up as we approach, and I feel a rush of relief at seeing them together again.
"About time," Crewe says when we reach them, his voice low but carrying that familiar edge of command. He pulls me into a quick hug, clapping me on the back. "We were starting to think you got lost in the crowd."
"Traffic," I say with a grin, stepping back. "You know how it is on concert nights. Sadie, these are my brothers. Crewe, Colt, Banks, and Mack. Guys, this is Sadie Wells."
Sadie smiles, and shakes their hands one by one. "It’s nice to finally meet all of you. Jace has told me so much."
Colt laughs, the sound easy and warm. "All good things, I hope. Though knowing Jace, he probably made us sound like a bunch of troublemakers."
"You are a bunch of troublemakers," I shoot back, but there’s no heat in it. It feels good to have them here, even with everything hanging over us.
Sadie turns to Banks, her expression softening. "Banks, right? How’s Anniston?"
Banks looks at Sadie. “She’s good. She’s with Delaney down in Texas.”
I nod, leaning in to whisper to Sadie’s ear. “Delaney’s close friend of the family and Nash’s girlfriend.”
Sadie blinks. “Oh, okay. So, she’s safe.”
Banks puffs his chest slightly. “I care about your sister a lot, Sadie. I won’t let anything happen to her.”
Sadie smiles and it nearly knocks the air out of my lungs. “I’m glad she met you, Banks.”
Banks looks at her for a moment, then nods, a small smile tugging at his mouth. "Me too."
Sadie's smile widens, and I can see the approval in her eyes. She likes him for her sister. I can tell by the way she relaxes a little, her shoulders easing as she talks to him. Banks is steady and kind in his own quiet way, and I’m glad she sees that. It makes me love her even more, the way she’s already thinking about her sister's future even in the middle of our mess.
