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“Tell her I'll drag her out if she doesn’t come out! She can work on the story later,” Ryder says.

“Ryder, there’s something I’ve got to tell you,” I say nervously.

“Travis, darling, be a dear and help me with this hot dog,” Barb says.

“Hey, babe. There you are.” Ava appears next to me and grabs my hand. Barb shoots daggers at her and slinks away.

“What did you want to tell me?” Ryder asks, looking at me holding hands with his sister like it is nothing.

“Uh–we–I’m?—”

“I already told him! We’re pretending to be together, so Barb leaves him alone,” Ava whispers to Ryder.

“Oh yeah, I know. You guys are doing great. If Ava hadn’t told me, I would have totally thought it was real,” Ryder says without an ounce of anger in his voice. Maybe he’ll actually be ok with it!

“Tell me about what happened with Chad down at the station.”

“Oh, he’s booked and will probably go to jail for a long time. Travis and I had words with him, so if he ever gets out, he knows we’ll kill him if he gets anywhere close to you,” Ryder says.

“Wow. Jail for a long time? Just for trespassing?”

“It was more than trespassing,” I say. Ryder gives me a warning look.

“What?” Ava says, looking back and forth at both of us.

“Ry, I can’t lie to her.”

“She doesn’t need to know,” Ryder says under his breath. “Wow, look at that fire.”

“I don’t need to know what?” Ava asks. I can tell she’s not going to let it go.

“The police found his car. Chad’s car was parked not too far from here. In the trunk was a bag with zip ties, gloves, tape, a knife…”

“Oh, my gosh. He was going to murder me.”

“Or at least threaten to. But you’re safe now,” Ryder says.

“Yeah, that psycho will be locked up for a long time. You’ve got nothing to worry about.” I put my arm around her and pulled her into me. I know I will do whatever it takes to keep her safe—forever. Ryder gives me a look that I can’t read.

“Well, I’m going to go grab a beer. Anyone else?”

“Yes, please. I think I need one after all this.”

“Gotcha, sis. Be right back.”

“Ava, I’m going to tell him.” I turn her toward me and look her in the eyes.

“Tell him what?”

“About us.”

“He already knows,” she says.

“I mean, for real. I don’t want to pretend. I thought I could–but I can’t. I at least have to try.”

“Travis, are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure about anything. I’m going to wait till this party dies down, and then I will tell him.”