Page 123 of Love Unspoken

"Yeah, let's have a good time," I agreed.

We arrived at the beachfront party to the sounds of laughter and music filling the night air. Waves crashed softly in the background while guests mingled under a sky full of stars. Tiki torches lined the sand, casting a warm, inviting glow.

I was looking forward to a carefree evening but that idea evaporated the moment I spotted Flynn and Shelby across the sand. I'd known they would be here—Jax had mentioned it earlier—but seeing them now, in the flesh, hit me like a blow to the chest. Flynn stood with a drink in hand, his usual smirk firmly in place, while Shelby looked polished, her gaze cutting through the crowd like a knife.

Jax squeezed my hand, sensing my unease. "You okay?" he asked.

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Not gonna let them ruin my fabulous weekend."

We hung out with Jax's friends, but I knew that we'd ultimately have to talk to Shelby and Flynn. After all, Jax knew the families and Rena was almost like a godmother to him.

Jax squeezed my shoulder as they made their way over, and I tried to brace myself for whatever barbs Shelby and Flynn had prepared. They'd never been kind to me—Shelby with her condescending comments and Flynn with his sleazy advances—but tonight, I felt particularly vulnerable. Maybe it was because I'd allowed myself to believe, even for a moment, that I was moving on and realized, to my embarrassment, that I wasn't ready. Just because Lucas didn't love me hadn't reduced my affection for him, which was a shame.

"Amara," Shelby called out as they approached, her voice oozing with false sweetness. "What a surprise to see you here. I didn't realize you and Jax were still…an item."

"Amara was kind to accompany me for this golf tournament," Jax interjected coolly.

Flynn grinned, that smug, knowing grin that made me want to slap it off his face. "Well, well, well. Look at you, Amara. Moving up in the world, aren't you? Jax is a hell of a catch. He's no Covington, obviously, but definitely up there, yeah?"

I ignored him and caught Emily's eye as she sauntered over with her husband, Ace. "Shelby, Flynn, oh my God, imagine seeing y'all here!"

Shelby's gaze landed on Ace and Emily, familiar faces in our tight-knit, tangled Charleston social scene. They all exchanged the usual hug-kiss routine, while the men shook hands.

"Amara, so great to see you again." Emily pulled me into a warm hug.

Ace leaned in, brushing his lips against my cheek. "Hey, gorgeous."

Their greetings were deliberate, a subtle signal to everyone around that I was part of their circle.

"Keep your hands off my girl, Ace," Jax teased good-naturedly.

I hadn't told Emily, Ace, or any of Jax's friends about Lucas, but it looked like they knew (probably because of how small Charleston was) and were supporting me. It felt good, and once again, I wished Lucas's friends had been this way; instead, they were the ones who'd tried to put me down.

"We didn't see you at the Prentiss anniversary." Emily leaned into her husband, a champagne glass in hand.

"We wanted to make it but couldn't. We've been so busy," Shelby replied, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied me. "Planning the wedding, of course."

My heart skipped a beat.

Emily quirked an eyebrow. "The wedding?"

Shelby tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Oh, didn't you know? Lucas's all but proposed to Kath. It's only a matter of time. I thought you would've heard, Amara, considering how close you two used to be."

Her words hit me like a physical blow, the ground shifting beneath me. I'd heard rumors, of course—seen them together—but hearing it from Shelby, in such a casual, matter-of-fact way, made it real. Too real. I felt Jax's hand tighten around me, grounding me, but the damage was done. I was shattered, my heart breaking all over again.

Lucas was marrying Kath. I wasn't surprised by that announcement; and neither was I astonished at how much it hurt me. Shouldn't I be over him after all these months instead of moping around like a spineless woman?

"I'm so happy for them. Do give Lucas my best," I crooned, not giving Shelby the satisfaction she sought, though the words tasted like ash in my mouth.

Flynn chuckled, clearly enjoying the show. "Don't worry, Amara, I'm sure you'll land on your feet. After all, you've got Jax now, right?"

The sleazy implication in his tone made my stomach turn, and I could feel the bile rising in my throat. I needed to get out of here, away from them, away from their toxic presence.

Ace's jaw clenched. "I think you've got the wrong end of the stick, pal. Jax is the lucky one to have someone like Amara give his ugly mug any attention."

"Truer words have not been said." Jax kissed the side of my head.

I felt weak and stupid, having to be held up by so many people, all because of Lucas.