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Ghost was never a big talker, so it wasn’t long before Hollywood started waxing poetic about his little girl, Ruby. I was overdue to take her to the park again. She was a little firecracker, and I loved watching her fearlessness as she ran around the playground, climbing and sliding and demanding pushes on the swing.

She could be a little queen when she wanted something. That girl was not hesitant or shy at all.

“She’s with Kelly tonight,” Hollywood offered. “The family is having a big get-together, so we get a few hours off.”

“And you chose to be here instead of fucking?” I asked. “You two really ought to get married.”

Tex reached over and gripped the back of my neck. “Aw, the pup is full of piss and vinegar tonight, huh?” He gave me a little shake. It was friendly, but also a warning. “Don’t worry. Hendrix and I got plenty of action today.”

Knight arrived with a basket holding a burger and fries. He set it in front of me. “Eat.”

I thought about continuing with the brat act, but my stomach growled. I picked up a hot, greasy fry and popped it into my mouth. “Better?”

Knight tugged out a chair and sat. “Yeah. Getting there. Keep eating.”

I picked up my burger and took a big bite. It had that perfect smoky flavor from the grill and was juicy enough to dribble over my chin.

I grabbed a napkin and swabbed my face.

“What’s going on with you, Joyride?” Knight asked. “Er, sorry. Joey. I know you prefer your real name now.”

“Doesn’t matter,” I mumbled through my food.

If I wasn’t going to see Kit anymore—if I was going to butt out of the Willises’ lives—then I could go back to being Joyride. Why not?

“Why did you miss the meeting yesterday?” Ghost asked.

“And what is with the attitude?” Tex added. “It’s like we rewound half a year. You’re acting like the kid who showed up at Redemption Road, all angry and self-destructive.”

“How would you know?” I shot back. “You were busy running away from Hollywood.”

His jaw went tight. That was a direct hit.

“Joey, stop it,” Hollywood said. “We’re not your enemies. We’re all here for you. You can talk to us.”

I was being a jackass, and I knew it. Too much beer on an empty stomach.

And a broken heart.

I couldn’t blame Kit, either. He’d come to me. Said he forgave me and he loved me. I just…couldn’t quite bring myself to believe it.

Even if he did, what about his father? I didn’t want to inflict more pain on him. What about everyone else in town who saw me as a piece of shit? How could Kit ever want to be seen with me?

We could never work. It had been stupid to even try. Even telling myself it would be only sex, I’d always known that it was more than that to me.

I’d always known it would hurt when it ended.

But Kit was supposed to end it. Not me. He was supposed to tell me to go to hell.

Everything was upside down and backward.

“Joey, talk to me,” Knight said. “What’s got you all twisted up?”

Hollywood’s eyes implored me to speak, but he hadn’t told them anything yet. Maybe he wouldn’t break my confidence—or maybe he would if it looked like I was going to self-destruct. Either way, this was what I’d expected from the guys.

I knew if I stayed, this would happen.

So I opened my mouth, and it all came spilling out. The hookups with Kit, even while knowing he wouldn’t forgive me. The friendship I’d formed with Dakota. The argument we’d had over his dad and Kit’s surprising confession that he wanted us to be together for real.