Page 112 of Second Chance Saloon

Jackie looked away, petrified that if he searched long enough, he’d discover everything she was determined to keep hidden. “How about ‘Iris’?” she asked Ali.

Nick groaned. “The Goo Goo Dolls, seriously, Jackie?”

Ali nodded in approval. “Hey, pipe down, Nick. It’s a good bonfire song.” Without waiting for any other suggestions, she struck the first chords, her clear voice filling the air.

It didn’t take long for everyone to join in, though no one’s voice was a match to Ali’s.

Colt raised his beer bottle to them, his expression grim. His glassy eyes bored into the dancing flames which didn’t bring out any color in his pale face.

Jackie watched him for a second before deciding she needed to talk to him. “I’ll be back, going to chat with Colt. He’s sulking after he got dumped,” she told Mitch.

Standing, she brushed dust and wood shavings off the back of her jeans, and walked up to Colt. “Hey, stranger.”

“Jacks.” He nodded, gulping the rest of his beer down. “How are you?”

“Move over, grumpy.” Her finger nudged his ribs.

Colt scooted across the trunk with a sigh. “Are you here to lecture me on how she wasn’t good enough for me anyway and I deserve better?”

Jackie took a sip from her beer, crossing her legs at the ankles. “No, because you already know all that. I told you this last week, why would I repeat myself?”

“To hammer the point more?”

She chuckled, shaking her head. “I’m not the right person to give any life advice.” A long drink of beer moved down her throat, cold bubbles tickling her tongue. “I do hope you meet someone worthy of you. You’re a catch.”

He shifted, a deep chuckle rising from his chest. “You might be the only woman in a fifty-mile radius who thinks so.”

“You are. You just need to stop going for the ones who are looking for a rebound.” Jackie shrugged. “Find someone who’s ready to be serious.”

“Like you and golden boy, eh?” Colt teased.

Her eyes focused on Mitch, who had moved to sit next to Kit and had taken baby Rose into his arms. Mitch raised Rose in the air, his smile so wide and infectious …

Her breath stuttered.

Even if she didn’t end up developing Huntington’s, she could never have children. She wouldn’t. There was no chance in hell she would risk passing on the gene. And Mitch wanted all that: wife, children, stability. She was no longer someone who could even dream about a life like that.

Her heart cracked, bleeding out through the cuts she’d carved into it in the past few weeks.

Mitch was building a life for himself, away from his despondent father and his influence. He was dreaming his own dreams, planning the future he wanted. She couldn’t take it away from him, could she? If they stayed together, they’d live their lives always wondering—had she stumbled or had she started showing symptoms? And what about when she got angry? Was it her or was it Huntington’s changing her personality?

It would be a constant guessing game.

“Jacks?” Colt’s knee nudged hers, snapping her out of her daze.

She tipped her can, swallowing a large gulp of beer. “You have a lot to offer, Colt. Don’t settle for less than everything, okay?” She squeezed his hand, wanting to convey how much his friendship meant to her.

Colt coughed, shaking his head. “Whatever. I’ll try.” He squeezed her hand back and let go.

Mitch was saying something to Kit, his eyes shimmering with wonder as he continued cradling Rose. He gave her his index finger to hold and was dazzling her with his widest, most brilliant smile.

A piece of Jackie’s heart broke away.

That smile was her favorite.

Drawn blinds kept the streetlights’ glare from the bedroom. Her eyes were closed, her head buzzing as she tried to soak in every millisecond in Mitch’s arms.

They got back to his and Nick’s apartment late after the bonfire and scattered to their respective bedrooms. Lyla had had too much beer and Nick practically carried her inside.