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I blow out a slow breath. “No reason. Just checking on you.”

“Yeah, just worried about Everly. She’s not answering any of my calls. I need to talk to her...”

My head cocks. “What about? I can tell her when I see her.”

Longer pause.

“It’s nothing. I just need to talk to her.”

I let it go.

Neither Lauren, nor Everly are little kids. They’re grown adults and best friends. As much as I want to tell Lauren that Everly knows what she did, Everly swore me to silence. I hate it, but it’s her choice how she wants to handle this.

“Do you think I should go over?”Lauren’s asking.“She’ll be home, and I can—”

“She’s probably sleeping. We did a lot yesterday and have a ton of stuff to do today—”

“I can meet you at the storage,”she blurts.“What time—?”

“Why don’t you just wait until she gets back to you, sweetie?”

The silence is different this time.

“Is she mad at me?”The quiet whisper cuts through me.

“Lauren...”

“I have to go. Sorry I wokeyou, Dad. Love you.”

The line goes dead.

I swear and toss the phone down. I stare at the useless piece of plastic, a dark shadow against the white sheets.

I’m trying not to take sides. I’m trying to be neutral ground in a situation where there are no winners. There are some betrayals that you can’t come back from.

Murdering your friend’s family or loved ones.

Sleeping with their significant other.

Were there days I considered pulling Everly into a dark corner and kissing her until she forgot all about that mouth breather?

Yes. Every fucking time. But I didn’t because I don’t condone infidelity. I would never take a woman Lachlan was interested in no matter the situation. There are lines you just don’t cross.

Sharing Everly is different. There are no secrets or hiding. No sneaking around. And she belongs to both of us. Walking in on Lachlan railing her won’t piss me off. Won’t feel like they betrayed me. More than anything, I’d probably drag her into my lap next.

What Lauren and Bron did is not the same.

Thoughts of Lachlan remind me I’m supposed to meet him in an hour to drive to Everly’s house. The walk over isn’t long, but I still need to grab a few things and figure out the road. Setting off with electronic gadgets into the wilderness and hopingfor the best has never worked for me. I still use a paper map and compass, a preference Lach teases me about.

Still, I stay twisted in my warm sheets, starving to reach for a body that isn’t there. Maybe for the best. I would never leave my bed if she were here with me. I’d abandon my entire life for an eternity in her arms.

I draw in a breath and close my eyes. The rhythmic patter of rain echoes off the window. Subtle. Faint warning shots to get moving.

I do, with a grunt. I push myself out of bed and head toward the bathroom. I twist the shower on and let it run as I strip. The heat of the water hits my tight muscles, and I groan at the sharp prickle of needles against my skin. I lean both hands against the wall and bow my head, letting the water rush over me. It does little to clear the static in my mind, but at least it washes away the evidence of my restless night.

Everly’s face haunts me behind closed eyelids. The way she looked, sated and small cradled in my chest. The way her breath warmed my skin the entire drive back.

I grit my jaw, bearing down on the reminder that I am a grown man with multiple past lovers, a wife. And yet, this one has me hollowed out and filled only with her.