Page 50

Mom waves at me from the edge of the green where she’s directing a couple who can’t seem to figure out which way is up, much less how to get an Uber. I lift my hand in acknowledgment.

Thank god it’s finally over.

An electric current skitters across my skin, and my body knows who is approaching before I even see them. Knox, Brax, and Jax stand shoulder to shoulder waiting for me, bathed in moonlight. I swear I’ve had this dream before.

My pulse quickens. They’ve always been beautiful men, but time has only enhanced what was already there. Made them a little more rugged. Mountain men through and through. Strong. Muscled. Knox stands slightly ahead, his posture rigid but commanding. Jax’s easy smile is visible even from here. And Brax, with his quieter intensity, has his hands tucked in his pockets, his gaze never leaving my face.

I take a step forward, like a magnet is drawing me in. Each step feels like coming home. It’s as if the ground beneath my feet recognizes me, as if the very air around us remembers our laughter, our secrets, our bond. The distance between us shrinks, and with it, the ten years I spent away. Like my agreeing to come over tonight erased all that time.

How is it possible to feel so connected to people after so long? How can my body remember the exact way Brax’s eyes crinkle when he’s trying not to smile too big? How Knox’s jaw tightens when he’s holding something back? How Jax’s fingers tap against his thigh when he’s anxious?

There’s nothing I want more than for us to be together again, how it used to be. Only not exactly how it used to be. My body wants a hell of a lot more than friendship, and judging by the way they drink me in, they’re thinking about being more than friends too. I stop in front of them, crossing my arms and arching an eyebrow to mask the thundering of my heart.

“The three of you look like trouble,” I say, hoping to dispel the tension, but the way Jax’s lips kick up tells me I’m in for one hell of a night. My skin heats as thoughts of the four of us tangled together fill my head.

Relax, Callie. They want to hang out, not run a train.

“Trouble recognizes trouble, baby,” Jax murmurs, tugging me into his arms. He pins my front against his and gazes down at me. “God, you’re fucking gorgeous.”

The weight that’s been on my shoulders since I left Big Ridge falls away, like being in Jax’s arms was all I needed to chase away the stress, fear, and anxiety. I should have known. They’ve always protected me, it’s part of why I came home after what Theo did, the only thing that made sense was coming back.

I only hope this dangerous game we’re playing doesn’t end up with us tearing each other apart.

Knox clears his throat. “Maybe we should head out?”

Jax glances around, wincing at the people milling about us, and murmurs an apology.

But this small town has already said enough about me. I’m done worrying what they think. I link my fingers with his to keep him from pulling all the way away. “It’s okay. Let them look.”

Jax grins at me. Brax takes my other hand, and Knox studies us, jealousy flashing in his gaze, but I don’t have three arms. He turns on his heel and leads us toward Jax’s pickup. There’s a cab, and plenty of space for me in the back, but when Knox climbs into the passenger seat, I extract myself from the twins and catch his door before it can close.

Knox gazes down at me. “What are you doing, Callie?”

It’s a loaded question. Everything about Knox is heavier than the twins. He was big enough to have his world shattered when his mom ran out. With him, there’s more on the line, more at risk. With Knox, it’s all or nothing. Every piece of him or none at all. That challenge shines in his irises and I hold his stare as I step onto the running board.

“Taking my seat.”

He tips his head. “There’s room in the back.”

“I know.” I grab the oh shit bar but he catches my hip. My heart trips over itself.

“You’ll be safer in the back.”

Blood rushes through my ears. “Are you saying you can’t keep me safe?”

He narrows his eyes. “I can keep you safe.”

“Good.” I turn and drop into his lap, my back resting against his strong torso. I tip my neck to look up at him. “Don’t let me get hurt.”

He swallows, understands exactly what I mean, and nods. “I won’t.”

“I’m counting on you, Knox.”

His arms band around my waist. “I’m not letting go.”

Grinning, I glance at Jax as he climbs in. He’s smiling, not at all bothered by me sitting on his brother’s lap. Brax gets into the back and scoots to the middle, head popping up between the seats.

“This feels good, doesn’t it, Alley cat?”