Page 7

But the move was unnecessary because he yelps in pain as his arm is wrenched behind his back.

“That will be enough, Nick,” Gavin says, his voice washing over me like a balm for my broken soul.

“Why are you defending this cunt?” Mr. McGraw demands, spittle flying from his mouth as his face turns tomato red. “What the fuck, Henderson? You still hung up on this stupid bitch? Your brother wouldn’t be such a fucking pussy.”

“Bobby wouldn’t stand here and let you physically assault a woman either. I can assure you of it. Even if the woman in questionisAshley Gibson.”

I used to love how Gavin said my name, but now the words are doused in so much disdain and hurt that they bring tears to my eyes, even after all this time.

“Amy, please finish ringing through Ashley’s groceries so she can leave the store before we have a situation on our hands. I don’t think any of us want to be further delayed while waiting for the police to show up, right?”

“Of course, Gavin, I’m so sorry,” Mrs. Graham says.

And suddenly, she’s moving at a warp speed that I didn’t believe was possible for her.

I start loading the brown paper bags she’s packing up into the cart as quickly as I can. Mrs. Graham charges the credit card and passes it back to me like it’s radioactive material.

No one is more shocked than I am when Gavin falls into step beside me, the proximity to his big, strong body immediately heating my blood to epic proportions.

Even in high school, Gavin was built like a sculptor’s dream. But he’s filled out now that we’re almost thirty – sweet Jesus, how did that happen? – and there’s no question about it.

Gavin Henderson is all man now.

It looks like he’s carried on the tradition of hitting the gym. Even under the Buffalo plaid flannel and well-worn, light wash jeans, the bulges of his muscles are clearly visible and straining against the material of his clothes while he walks.

No article of clothing can contain him or hide how goddamn sexy he is.

“What are you doing?” I whisper.

Tears of shame and regret fall down my cheeks, and I can’t do a thing to stop them. There isn’t enough penance in the world for me to overcome the sins of my father.

“I’m walking you to your car to make sure that Nick doesn’t kill you. Or, for that matter, any number of other people who despise you.”

I lead the way to my black Suburban with blurry, tear-filled eyes. The vehicle contains every material possession I have left other than the cabin that is my only refuge.

On the bright side, it’s in the middle of nowhere and I won’t bump into anyone. I’ll make sure to have enough supplies to hide out there for at least a few months.

And then I can catch my breath, come up with a plan, and, hopefully, leave this cursed town in my rear view permanently.

I pause at the trunk and pull the hat off my head so I can see properly, risking a glance at Gavin.

Lord Jesus.

He is so ridiculously sexy. If there was a menu where you could order up a physically perfect man, he would check every box and include all the expensive add-ons.

Tousled chestnut brown hair. Square jaw. Blue eyes that can look straight into my soul. Tall, broad and absolutely jacked.

But it was never what was on the outside that attracted me to him. Sure, he’s nice to look at, but the man has a heart of gold.

Bobby always had more swagger than his twin, and Gavin was the quieter, gentler one.

The rumors that Gavin changed after I left town still haunt me.

Did he stop believing in love because of me? Was it my betrayal that made him become a player rather than the committed family man he was always dying to become? I knew that I ruined myself, but I always prayed that I didn’t ruin him.

Despite everything that I did and everything that my unexpected presence must stir up for him, he’s still protecting me.

But when I try a tentative smile, he turns away like he’s looking directly into the sun.