Page 37 of From the Wreckage

Brielle

The bell above the garage door jingles as Dad pushes inside, a box of parts balanced on one arm. “Kiddo, do me a favor?”

I set down the clipboard I’d been scribbling on. “Sure.”

“Run these envelopes over to the post office.” He hands me a small stack, already stamped and addressed. “And grab yourself a coffee after. Maybe poke around the bookstore. I’ll be tied up with Miller’s bike for a while.”

“Okay.” I force a smile, tucking the envelopes into my bag. A bookstore trip sounds heavenly… except I know I won’t be able to focus on a single word on a single page without thinking of Everett.

The post office is quick, the clerk taking the envelopes with a smile before sending me on my way.

Ten minutes later, I’m at Pine & Page, inhaling the familiar scent of roasted coffee beans, paper, and ink.

I order my iced caramel latte and wander toward the new releases display. The condensation from the cup slicks my palm as I run my free hand along a glossy spine.

A voice comes from behind me. “Hey, Brielle!”

I turn to see Lily, one of the employees, moving closer. She flashes me a smile, her apron tied over a bright sundress.

“Hey,” I say, mustering a smile.

She tilts her head, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. “So… who was the hot older guy that came in here last week and nearly scared Jason out of his skin?”

My blood runs cold. The latte nearly slips from my fingers.

“What?” I manage, my voice higher than usual.

“You know—dark hair, ridiculously good-looking, broody as hell. Jason wouldn’t shut up about how the guy threatened him for hitting on you.” She smirks, leaning in. “Seriously, Bri, you didn’t tell me you had someone like that in your corner.”

Panic scrambles through me, but somehow, I keep my smile in place. “Oh. Him.” I force a laugh that feels brittle. “That’s Everett. He’s… uh, my dad’s friend. Like a protective big brother, I guess.”

Lily laughs, her brows raised. “Well damn. I wish I had a hot, protective big brother like that.”

I roll my eyes, taking a long sip of my latte to keep from choking on the lump in my throat. “Trust me, he’s just… intense sometimes.”

“Intense and hot.” Lily wiggles her brows before a customer waves her over. “Anyway, see you around, Bri!”

I nod quickly, my heart still hammering as she walks away.

The moment she’s gone, I duck into one of the quieter aisles and press my back to the shelves, my pulse thundering.

What if people start talking? What if Dad hears something? He thinks Everett is just a good guy who helped me out after the accident. If he even suspected the truth….

I press my hand to the necklace beneath my shirt, the sunflower pendant warm against my skin. Everett’s gift. His claim on me.

My stomach twists. I got carried away by his possessiveness and took too many risks. God, what if Lily or someone else had seen us kissing?

In a small town like Silverpine, secrets don’t stay buried forever.

And I’m terrified of what will happen when ours comes out.