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She glances over at me, and it’s like no one else in the goddamn room exists. We hold a silent conversation, and I see the sparkle in her eye, the one I said I’d never miss again after the first time we saw one another in the park.
She glares back at him.
“Yes,” she states. “I am. But that’s none of your goddamn business.”
“Liar.” He seethes.
“You have the audacity to callmea liar after everything you put me through? You’re a cheating bastard!”
She’s angry. I’ve never seen her this mad. Lexi takes a step forward and whispers something in his ear before returning to my side. He looks like she slapped the shit out of him, and I give her a smirk, curious as to what she said.
My grandfather once said that a person shouldn’t fight with violence, but with words, because it’s the only weapon that can cut so deep. Lexi proved that for me.
Quiet chatter fills the space and I glance around, knowing this is getting out of hand. The last thing either of us needs is this spreading around town or to the gossip columns.
The crowd parts, and Remi stands in front of Beau, her birthday crown on her head and hands on her tiny waist. Cash follows behind her, and so do Harrison and Beckett. She’s brought her own personal army.
“You won’t be ruining my birthday, Beau. Please leave.”
Beau’s mouth falls open like he wants to say something, but Lexi stunned him silent.
“Out you go,” Beckett says, putting his hand on Beau’s shoulder. Harrison grabs his other one, and they lead him outside.
I take Lexi’s hand and we walk outside. There were too many eyes on her, and I could see that she was lost in her head.
We’re on the opposite side of the barn, the one that faces the open land. Without the music playing, we can hear every word Beau says to the Valentine brothers.
Lexi sits on the ground with her back resting against the barn wall and leans her head on her knees. I place my hand on her back as they argue with one another.
Harrison raises his voice. “She’s moved on. She’s fuckinghappy. Sometimes, you win, and sometimes, you lose. You lost, Beau. Should’ve married her when you had the chance and not been a cheating cunt.”
I’ll have to tell himthank youfor that later.
“She doesn’t love him,” Beau tries to reason.
“She doesn’t love you either,” Beckett says. “Now, leave.”
“I dated an idiot,” Lexi whispers, shaking her head.
“Leave,” Beckett yells, and I can hear how agitated he is. “I’m gonna call the sheriff. I didn’t want any trouble tonight from anyone. And here you are, fucking up my beer-pong record!”
I hold back my laughter.
More mumbles fill the space, an engine cranks, and gravel kicks up. Five minutes later, the microphone comes on, and it sounds like Harrison has it shoved halfway down his throat.
“Sorry about that, ladies and gentlemen; I thought we said pricks weren’t invited! Let the good times roll,” he says.
Everyone laughs, then the music continues like nothing happened.
“Are you okay?” I finally ask, rubbing her back.
She sits up and turns to me. “You know, for months, I asked myself how I’d react if Beau confronted me. I replayed the scenario a few times and didn’t know how I’d feel when I saw him again. But … when I looked at him, it was like staring at a blank page. There wasnothingthere.”
“I’ve been there. It’s freeing. And awkward.”
“It is,” she says. “I told him I’ve never had tofake itwith you and that you give the best orgasms I’veeverhad.”
A howl of laughter releases from me. “I was curious, but wasn’t going to ask.”