Page 126 of Almost Beautiful (Beautiful 3)

We followed Finch and Felix, the girls chatting and side-hugging, the Maddox boys nudging and soft-punching.

The festival was packed, but the crowd parted like the Red Sea for us, seeing five different renowned fighters from The Circle approaching like a small army, with the loves of their lives in tow. We passed food trucks and various booths, and then we got into the area where there were carnival spectacles, fire breathers and acrobats, clowns and exotic animals. When we finally reached the back edge of the concert area, we kept going, easily making our way to the center.

The band began to play within minutes, easily heard over the roaring cheers from the crowd. I stood behind Abby, wrapping my arms around her middle. She leaned back against my chest and we swayed, enjoying our first moment of real peace since the fire.

It made me want to believe Thomas that everything would be alright. That we’d get the intel they needed to make arrests and Abby and I could be happy in the meantime.

Ellie was suddenly on Tyler’s shoulders, cheering for the band. And then America climbed onto Shepley’s.

I looked down to Abby. “Want a better view?”

She nodded with enthusiasm, giving me an extra bump of adrenaline to pop her up with barely any effort. Soon, all the girls were sitting above the crowd—except for Liis, who wasn’t interested—even though she was the tiniest of us.

The band played on, a third song, then a fourth, the lead singer telling stories and quipping to make us all laugh between songs.

It was a perfect day, the sun not too hot and with a gentle breeze once in a while to cool us off where we stood, shoulder to shoulder. As the sun began to set, fireworks were lit in the distance, and the crowd went insane.

One by one, the girls asked to be lowered to the ground, with Ellie being the last. They began dancing then—not Liis, of course—and my cousin, brothers and I watched with amusement.

Abby had her hands in the air, smiling and swaying to the music.

The music stopped and the lead singer thanked everyone for coming, and we all erupted.

Just as the crowd quieted down, Abby looked to me and smiled. A second later, a loud slap filled the air, and Abby jerked forward. Her eyes widened, she looked at me.

My gaze settled behind her, where Brandon stood.

“Damn, that was a good one! I’ve been wanting to do that for a while,” he said, rubbing his hands together.

Abby rubbed her back side and turned to face him, quickly backing toward me.

The celebrating was over, then. The Maddox family was staring down a common enemy.

I started to charge him, but somehow stopped myself, breathing hard. The adrenaline running through my veins made me want to fight everyone in the crowd.

“Are you out of your fucking mind?” I said, seething.

“I mean,” Brandon gestured to my wife. “Look at her. Look at that ass! It was right there, brother, I had to!”

Abby put her hand on my shoulder. “Don’t. He’s baiting you,” she whispered.

“What?” Brandon asked, looking around. “You mad? Might want to ask your brother over there what it’s like to throw with me. I beat his ass back then, and I’m better now.”

“I was a pint and a half of whiskey in, you stupid fuck,” Tyler quipped. He took a step forward, but I held my hand to his chest.

I looked to Thomas, waiting for him to stop me, but he was just glowering at Brandon, his fists at his side.

“I should’ve done it the other night,” Brandon said, ogling my wife.

“Shut up, Brandon,” Abby said, fuming. She was shaking. I hadn’t seen her do that since the fire.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” I asked.

“I came over the other night.” He winked at Abby. “Admit it. You were happy to see me.”

“Is that what you thought when I screamed at you to get the fuck off my porch?”

Brandon laughed.