Page 65 of This Broken Heart

Bo nods solemnly. “We are.”

Skyler steps up behind him. “Your parents are headed to their new house. They kidnapped your children, by the way.”

“What?”

Bo nods, stepping inside Josh’s room. “Trace wanted to have a slumber party at the new house.”

“You’ve both got the night off.” Skyler grins. “The girls wanted to have a little after party.”

I scowl. “Sounds delightful.”

Skyler shrugs, leaning against the wall. “Dusty and Reese held a little board meeting with them. I think they’re contrite.”

“How many years has it been since we’ve partied in this house?”

Dusty laughs. “Remember the time Lisa and Keith went on that cruise?”

Bo groans. “I have never been so hung over in my life.”

Erin shifts out from under my arm, scooting to the edge of the bed. I didn’t realize I was still holding onto her, but I don’t really regret it. Short of chasing Dusty off with a club, a message needed to be sent.

This woman is mine.

43.

Erin

The guys have a natural rapport with each other. They obviously grew up together, forming around each other, until they were like four puzzle pieces. They can finish each other’s sentences, tell half stories because they already know the ending. It’s fascinating to watch.

I didn’t know friendship like this existed.

The girls add the perfect amount of antagonism, keeping the guys on their toes.

I don’t really know what to make of Josh—no surprise there. We all stand around in the kitchen, but he seems to intentionally put some distance between the two of us. Every time I look at him, though, he’s watching me. His gaze is like a tether, keeping me anchored to him.

Our little party is clobbered when some of Parker’s friends arrive. Like flipping a switch, the girls electrify her and she goes from quiet mouse to party diva in no time at all.

More friends start pouring in. The only person who isn’t allowed to invite anyone over is Charlie. Josh says he doesn’t want any babies drinking in the house.

But as the party swells, it’s hard to tell who’s who anymore.

There’s a small-town atmosphere that’s hard to wrap my mind around. These people have known each other since they were in diapers. And before that, their parents knew each other sincetheywere in diapers. There’s a generational interconnectedness that borders on incestuous. They know each other’s stories; they know their parents’ stories. There isn’t a lot of room for an outsider like me.

I lose track of the guys. I eventually find them playing a very aggressive game of beer pong. Josh’s sisters have all found their girl gangs, and that leaves me an odd man out.

Alone in the crowd.

The guys and Josh’s sisters—they’re all clearly very popular.

It’s giving me high school vibes, and I thought I was done with that shit five years ago.

Excavating my coat from a mountain of winter jackets, I shrug it on and step outside. It’s frigid outside, but Josh’s house is just on the other side of that country road. I just have to hike through one long icy lane, cross the road and take on another long, icy lane.

It’s a bit daunting, but no more daunting than hanging out with a bunch of people stuck in their high school glory days.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

I jump, pressing my hand to my chest as I turn around. Josh is sitting on the porch swing, drinking a beer in the dark.