Page 104 of Twins for Three Bad Boys

Fletcher considers that. “Evan’s at your mom’s, right, Wayne?”

Wayne’s gaze snaps to him.

“It’s a good night,” Fletcher adds calmly. “No kid. No distractions. Just honesty.”

Wayne exhales. “Going back to the house with this feels risky.”

I smile faintly. “Darlin’, we passed risky about two drinks ago.”

He snorts despite himself, then goes quiet again.

Finally, he nods.

“Okay,” he says. “We talk to her. Together.”

Fletcher lifts his glass. “Together.”

I clink mine against theirs. “We tell her the truth and let her choose.”

Wayne hesitates, then adds, “If she wants nothing to do with it…”

“We respect that,” Fletcher finishes.

We pay the tab. Tess gives me a look as we head for the door.

“Y’all good?” she asks.

“We’re honest,” I reply. “Which is worse.”

She smirks. “Good luck.”

Outside, the night is cool and damp, fog rolling in off the river. Wayne pauses, then looks at us.

“You ready?” he asks.

I nod. So does Fletcher.

None of us say it out loud, but we’re all thinking the same thing.

This conversation could change everything.

And somehow, that doesn’t feel threatening.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

June

The movie has been playing for at least forty minutes, and I couldn’t tell you a single thing that’s happened.

There’s a woman on the screen who keeps running from something, maybe a killer, maybe her feelings, I honestly don’t know, and I keep thinking she should just stop and turn around already. Face it. Whatever it is.

The house is quiet in that late-night way that feels heavier than silence during the day. Evan’s at Sandra’s. Wayne’s out, said he’d be late. I’m curled up on the couch with a blanket and a bowl of popcorn I’ve forgotten to eat, telling myself everything’s normal.

Then the front door opens.

I sit up so fast the blanket slips down around my waist.

Three sets of boots cross the threshold.