Page 59 of How We End

“He’s not washed-up.”I paused before getting into the car.“So stop saying that.He’s…” I looked at the old farmhouse and the people who stood in the doorway.

“He’s what?”The realization of what I was saying bloomed across Hunter’s face.“Oh.I got it.I see how it is.”

“No, you don’t.None of you do.No one in this small fucking town has ever seen anything.Just stop teaching your son to be a shitty person.”I slid into the car and yanked the door out of Hunter’s hand.

My mother’s funeral would be the next time I would be back here.And that would be too soon.

November 27

2:24 p.m.

Julian:

Is it Saturday yet

Cassidy:

Nope

Julian:

Not sure when I outgrew my parents

Cassidy:

When I turned 16

Julian:

13

CHAPTERTWENTY-NINE

WYATT

November 27

I had told no one I was back, so the fact that Maverick was striding into the suite was a bit of a surprise.And not how I wanted to spend my day back.But this was how Maverick worked.He would pretend that whatever happened days go hadn’t, and I would simply need to forgive and move on.We were like some old married couple.

I hadn’t let Julian know I was back yet.My entire flight home, I had gone over in my head what I would say to him on Saturday.All the reasons we wouldn’t work.I had a long list, and at the top was the man who now moved around this space like he owned it.

“If I’d known you were going to be back, I wouldn’t have let Dana’s family stay at the place in Henderson,” he said, walking over to the bar.The second level of the house was for guests.It had its own entrance and full kitchen.But I stayed away to save Dana the questions.

“It’s fine.”I watched him from the couch.“Why aren’t you with Dana?”It was technically still Thanksgiving.

“I spent the day with her and her family.Now she’s resting.”He walked back over, handing me a drink and kissing me.“How was your trip?”

He sat down next to me.I wanted to crawl onto his lap, close my eyes, and tell him how shitty it had been.What my sister said to me.Not because I had any feelings for Maverick, but because I didn’t want to be alone.I wanted someone to be on my side.Tell me Morgan was in the wrong.That my father was wrong.But Maverick wouldn’t do that.And not only was Julian with his family, but I had to draw that line with him.

“It was fine.”I took a sip of the drink.Maverick’s favorite, vodka soda.

“Are you booked for tomorrow?”

“At midnight.What did you have in mind?”

“Not for me,” he said as he turned to face me, his hand sliding up my bare leg.

It was still Thanksgiving, and I didn’t work holidays, but right now I needed human touch.So I didn’t stop him.