Page 60 of Verdict

I nodded. “Let’s do it.”

She set a small course, keeping the height conservative while Bentley was still green. He was perfect—patient when I held him, eager when I asked him to move up. When Addison raised the jumps, he didn’t hesitate; his form only improved.

When we finished, I let him walk on a long rein, heading back toward the rail where Cohen and Dean waited, Addison walking beside me.

Cohen looked up, grinning. “That was badass. You make it look so easy—and I would know, since I’ve now been on a horse and all.”

Dean shook his head at Cohen as he huffed out a laugh.

“He looked really good, Ava.” Dean patted Bentley’s neck before glancing over at Addison. “You might need to give this one to her,” he teased.

Addison rolled her eyes and planted her hands on her hips. “I bought him for me, thank you very much.”

“Doesn’t mean he wasn’t meant for me.” I needled before leaning forward to wrap my arms around Bentley’s neck. “I love him.”

With Weston in town and my parents watching Ellie, we all decided to meet up for a drink at our favorite local bar, Hops & Hills. When Cohen and I walked in, my siblings and their significant others were already gathered around a long table near the pool tables and dartboards. The place smelled like fried food and cheap beer, country music humming low through the speakers.

I settled in next to Addison and Farrah while Cohen stayed standing with Dean, watching Walker and Weston argue aggressively over a dartboard.

Addison pushed a beer in my direction. I lifted it and took a grateful sip. “Thanks. Where’s Harper? I thought she’d be here.”

She shook her head. “She's in Boston. She and Archer went to visit her mom for a few days.”

“Got it.” I smiled. “I’m so excited for them. Has she picked a wedding date yet?”

“Not officially,” Addison said. “But she’s leaning toward winter next year.”

I nodded, then glanced over toward the dartboard. Walker was gesturing dramatically, pointing at something, while Weston stood there with his arms crossed, unimpressed and immovable.

“I swear to God,” I muttered, “we cannot take them anywhere.”

Farrah scoffed and shook her head with a laugh. “Trust me. If my brothers were here? It'd be a whole lot worse.”

Dean leaned over from where he was standing and shot her a look. “It's better they're not." He looked from Farrah to Addison. "Your two families have personally traumatized this bar enough.”

Addison snorted. “Says the man who hooked up with me in the bar's bathroom. Hate to break it to you, Adler, but you're a part of this family now too."

Dean choked on his beer. “I thought we agreed we were done bringing that up?”

“Correction,” Addison said sweetly. “You agreed.”

Farrah leaned in toward me. “Bathroom’s old news. They just fuck in horse stalls now,” she stage-whispered.

Dean looked up at the ceiling as if he were asking for patience. Addison and I laughed, but my attention drifted back to Cohen.

He was relaxed, one shoulder leaning against the wall, an easy grin on his face as he talked with my brothers. He looked like he belonged there. Like he’d always belonged there.

And I hated how much I loved that.

The guys finally abandoned the dartboard and joined us. Walker kissed the top of Farrah's head as he sank into the seat beside her. Dean draped an arm around Addison.

That quiet ache hit me again. I couldn't help the pang of jealousy I felt as I watched them.

Weston caught me staring and held my gaze for a beat too long before taking a slow sip of his beer.

Cohen came up behind me, his hands settling on my shoulders. He squeezed gently, leaning down so his mouth brushed close to my ear. “You want another beer?” The low rumble of his voice sent a small shiver down my spine.

I turned slightly to look up at him. “Yeah. Thanks.”