Page 99 of H E R
“I guess not.”
Jasmin and Charles exchange words, but I’m not listening. My best friend glances at me from the rearview mirror, her tired eyes searching my features, and I know she’s worried. But I don’t have the energy to reassure her that I’m going to be fine once the nightmares and flashbacks stop.
I didn’t even bother to insist on driving like I always did whenever we made our way to my parents’ ranch. I’ve stopped crying, but I don’t have the energy required to drive some fifty miles through the blazing California desert. Jasmin and I had been staying with Olivia and Jason. Regardless of their multiple vehicles, I insisted we bring my truck. What was the point in keeping up with pretenses? Dylan already knew everything about me.
Dylan.
He’s the only reason I’m even slightly okay. After everything I’ve been through—watching my parents brutal killings, raising my baby brother, and constantly worrying he’d be taken, to finally having one of my best friends die in my arms—Dylan’s presence is unmatched. He’s filled the seemingly irreparable hairline fractures to mysoul with the liquid gold of his healing companionship. I’m a real life Kintsugi. He’s repaired my damaged fragments in a way I never thought was capable. And I’m better for it.
It’d been eight days since Noah’s death. Eight agonizing days, and Dylan never left my side. He was there when I delivered the news to Noah’s mom and she clung to me, yelling his name into the abyss. He held me through nights of cold sweats and nightmares and made sure I ate and drank water instead of kicking back a bottle of my favorite tequila. He kept me on my feet when Noah was buried. And he sits next to me now, holding me, while Jasmin drives us to the ranch.
I know it isn’t easy for him to watch me grieve for an ex boyfriend. But Noah was more than that. He was like family. No matter what, even after his betrayal. I knew I’d eventually speak to him again and demand a thorough explanation.
My face feels sticky, and I’m sure the folds of Dylan’s shirt left lines on my cheek when I manage to peel myself away from his chest and dare a look out to where Helena and Pedro wait. Jule is between them, and my heart aches to hold him. Once the van stops and Charles opens the door, I do just that. I rush out and crush my brother. I half expected him to be tiny, but he’s a giant, of course. I still can’t shake off how much he’s fucking grown.
“I’m sorry, Nik.”
I nod and squeeze his face between my hands. “I’m just happy you’re safe.”
As it turns out, Dylan was right. Vork ordered his men to raid my trailer, and I don’t even want to imagine what would’ve happened to Jule if Dylan hadn’t sent for him.
“I’m happy you’reallsafe,” Pedro says, and Helena nods in agreement.
I breathe my sniffles away and clear my throat. I guess introductions are in order.
“This is Dylan and Charles. They… helped.”
I don’t know how else to explain their presence. Anything else seems small in comparison. If it weren’t for them, I don’t think any of us would still be alive.
After a few thank you’s and some awkward hugs, we all head inside.
It smells like home.
Orchids and calla lilies decorate the space, and the urge to collapse on the couch is staggering. Charles is about to light a cigarette and I glare at him. Helena would fucking kill him. He gets the hint and slumps his long body onto the couch nearest him. His back is to us, and I ignore his dejected scorn and focus on Helena as she showers Dylan with questions.
I glance around and, as if guessing what my thoughts are, Jule nudges my arm. “The girls should be back in just a few minutes. They went riding and—”
“I can’t believe you brought a fucking cop! I trusted you.” Piper’s angry voice echoes in my head.
“Piper, wait. He hel–”
I don’t get the chance to explain. Charles gets up, and as soon as Piper sees him, she rushes into his arms.
“Helped,” I finish. But she isn’t listening.
They’re practically making out, and a semblance of understanding covers Dylan’s perfect face.
“I get it now,” he mouths.
I shrug.Get what?
Dylan gives me a smug smile, and my knees wiggle weakly, warning me to snap the fuck out of it before I swoon into his arms. We don’t need two couples making out in the living room when there are five bedrooms inthishouse alone.Couples? Is that what we are?
Macy walks in and sits next to Jule at the kitchen island. She clears her throat loudly and Piper finally breaks away for air.
“Youcantrust me,” I say before she goes nuts on me. I walk to her and grab her hand and deposit the USB onto her palm and close her fingers over it. “Always.”
“He’s alright,” Charles says as he nods toward Dylan and the son of a bitch smiles. I mean, hereallysmiles. He pulls Piper into his chest and stuffs his face into the bend of her neck.