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A soft black t-shirt covered his chest, a now familiar set of letters embroidered over his heart. Mine plummeted. It was that same Saint View High Football shirt I’d found in Banjo’s drawer. The same one whoever had carried me from the fire had worn.
And I was in love with her. So stupidly, head over heels in love with her that I’d follow her to the ends of the earth.
“Because this isn’t it. You’re what I want, Lacey Knight. You’re who I want. And I was this close to having you. I’m not giving up.”
He grinned at me. “You’re such a badass.”
I stared at him for a long moment, then held my hand out. “Give me your keys.” He raised an eyebrow. “Seriously? You want to go sit in the car?” “No, I want them because you’re a cocky son of a bitch. And if that guy kills you, I still want to be able to get home tonight.”
“It’s seriously fucking hot when you talk like that, you know?”
Then shrugged out of his leather jacket and tossed it at me. It hit my chest and slid to the ground. “You want me to hold your shit? Ask.” Amusement danced all over his face. “You’re such a fucking firecracker. Please, Lacey. Will you hold my things while I go kick this guy’s ass?”
When I forced myself to look back, Colt was grinning, as if he’d enjoyed the punch that was already coloring his cheekbone. Crazy asshole.
I couldn’t help but grin at him. “Nice job.” “Nice?” “What’s wrong with nice? What do you want me to say?” “That was more than nice. That was a thing of beauty.” I snorted. “You and your ego. If it was more than nice, he wouldn’t have landed that first punch. You want an awesome? Next time, don’t go getting your cheek split open.”
But there were things she didn’t know. I had to protect my family.
While Lacey Knight might not know it, she had the potential to destroy my sister. She had the potential to destroy me.
Because your uncle isn’t who you think he is. Because you’re not. Because I’m not. Because everything you think you know is a lie.
Morning, beautiful,”
“You probably won’t ever want to see me again when I’m done. But I’m so sick of secrets.”
Almost as much as I loved Lacey.
His kisses were everything. The sun and the moon and the stars, all rolled into one fiery ball of heaven. Or maybe of hell. I had no idea. But it felt wicked. Kissing him in this way would send me straight to the Devil’s court.
His bike lay discarded on the path behind him. His fitted pants and shirt disheveled, his cheeks flushed pink. Banjo glanced up from beneath his blond hair. The world of hurt in his eyes tore me in two. I’d never seen someone look so broken.
Rafe threw his arms around Banjo, and Banjo crumpled against him, a choked sob coming from his chest while Rafe held him up.
I love you, Lacey. I have this entire time. I never stopped. I’m so sorry, baby. I’m so sorry I hurt you.”
princess.
“I love you, Lace,”
I was so not straight. Someone needed to pass me a bisexual label and I’d wear the fucking thing with pride.
“I’m glad you did it,” she choked out. “I’m glad you killed him.”
“If this is the safe-sex lecture, we’re good on that front,” Banjo piped up. “I think we used a whole box of condoms last night.” Rafe snorted on his laughter while I just stared at Banjo in horror. “What? We did.” “You’re killing me,” I hissed at him. He gave me that adorable grin that made me forgive him in an instant.
“Notice I said you could have the pool house? Perhaps if the three of you want to have sleepovers in the future, it could be out there? Where I can’t hear you?”
“What’s to judge? Those boys worship the ground you walk on. I’m glad you’ve sorted things out. I just want you to be happy.” “I am.” “Then that’s all I care about.”
He lifted his head, and the video froze. So did my heart. I stopped breathing.
Everybody knows a woman who says she’s fine is anything but. I wasn’t fine. I doubted I’d ever be fine again.
Was it you? Did you pull me from the fire at Providence?” A muscle ticked in his jaw. “Yes.”
There was no forgetting your first love. And Lacey had been mine.
Around hiccups, I made a face. “You put yours on.” The corner of his mouth tipped up, but this time it was tinged with relief. “Fuck you.” “Fuck you, too.”
I smiled at his hoot of glee, but I turned my face down to the sand, hoping he wouldn’t see it.
“I don’t want this,” I growled. “I want you.”
That was always the way with the two of us. I gave her shit. She gave me hell.
If this was all we had, if I went back home and cops had my house surrounded, then this would be enough. This one night with the girl who had owned my heart for as long as I could remember.
Tears fell down my cheeks, and though they mingled with the water, Banjo seemed to know. He always knew what I needed, when I needed it. He put his arms around me and held me while I cried. Soft, disappointed, guilt-filled tears that hurt my heart.
“I love you,” he said, pulling away. “I love you, too.”
princess.”
“Our girl,” Banjo said quietly, glancing to me for confirmation. “All three of us.”
“Dance with me. Out in the middle of that dance floor where everyone can see us.”
But then Colt’s lips were brushing the shell of my ear. “Dance with me, Lacey. I want to show every person in this room you’re mine. You get that?”
There were unspoken feelings in that kiss that wrapped around my heart, pulling me into him, whispering secrets neither of us would voice.
The woman tugged her earlobe with her free hand.
