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“That, too. I’ve been trying to knock some sense into him but the man is stubborn. You’re the only one who has ever been able to get through to him.”

Memories from just a few short weeks ago pop into my mind and I fight back tears. Maybe I was able to get through to him before but at this point, I doubt he’ll ever want to see me again. Too much has happened.

“I hope he’ll be able to find a way to be happy again…someday.”

Tate arches a brow. “Why the hell are you talking like it has nothing to do with you?”

“Yeah,” Alice adds, scowling. “Lucas is crazy in love with you, Quinn.”

“Look at everything that has happened, you guys. It’s too much for any relationship to survive, let alone one that was just starting.”

“No, you’re wrong,” Tate urges, shaking her head. “He fucking loves you, even if he does have his head up his own ass right now.”

I sigh and close my eyes. “Look, I’m not expecting anything from him, okay? He just watched his brother die in front of him and it was all my fault. I can’t blame him for wanting nothing to do with me.”

“Hold the fuck up,” Tate growls. “Why the hell do you think this is your fault?”

“What she said,” Alice adds, pointing to Tate as she glares at me. Memories from that night flash through my mind and tears well up in my eyes.

“Clay didn’t know what he had done to me. He had no idea that he had raped me and when we told him, he was horrified. He called himself a monster and said he didn’t deserve a second chance.”

“Shit,” Tate breathes, shaking her head. “Despite that, Clay had so many issues and you were not the cause of his death. If you want to blame someone, blame their good for nothing daddy. Bastard is going to rot in hell for what he put Clay and Lucas through.”

“Maybe I shouldn’t have told him about the night he raped me… Maybe I should have just kept my mouth shut.”

“Listen to me,” Alice snaps, grabbing my face and directing my gaze toward her. “None of this was your fault. You were just another victim in a tornado of destruction that started damn near twenty years ago. I don’t want you blaming yourself.”

“Doesn’t really matter if I blame myself if Lucas does.”

Tate shakes her head. “No. He’s going through a whole heap of shit right now but there’s no way in hell that he blames you.”

“Exactly.”

“Then where is he, you two? He once said that being around me was the only thing that ever gave him any peace but now that he needs peace more than he ever has before, he’s not here. What does that tell you?”

“That he’s an idiot,” Tate argues, rolling her eyes. “All men are when it comes to serious shit like this. He doesn’t know how to fucking deal so he’s hiding out at the clubhouse and drinking himself into a stupor. Give him a few more days and he’ll realize that the thing he needs to ease some of his pain is the woman he loves and he’ll come running home.”

“I really wish I could believe that,” I whisper, gazing out at the front yard as tears well up in my eyes again. “But this feels like the end for us.”

Tate scoffs as she jumps up. “You know what, I’m going back to the clubhouse now to kick his ass some more and I’m going to remind you of this conversation on y’all’s wedding day. In fact, I might even do a whole speech about it.”

“I’ll help you write it,” Alice adds and Tate grins.

“Perfect. See y’all later.”

We watch her leave and as she car pulls out of the driveway, I sigh.

“You want to try watching a movie or something?” Alice asks and I shake my head, pulling the blanket tighter around me.

“No. I’m just going to sit out here a while longer.”

She sighs as she stands. “Tate’s right, you know. Lucas is coming back and you’re going to have to eat your words.”

“I admire your optimism.”

“Fine,” she grumbles. “Keep being stubborn but we’re right. You and Lucas have the kind of love that doesn’t die. I know it.”

“Anyone ever told you that love sometimes isn’t enough?” I ask, arching a brow in annoyance and she shakes her head.

“No. Love is everything, Quinn. And it’s going to bring Lucas back to you. Mark my word.”

I shake my head, tears welling up in my eyes again as I try to ignore the tiny little spark of hope in my heart. It’s dangerous and I can’t possibly afford to embrace it. Not when there’s still a huge possibility that I could lose everything.