Page 134 of Kings Don't Break

Korine and I exchange a look, then give a shrug. In sync with each other as if planned.

“It’s coming,” Korine answers. “When the time is right.”

“Kori’s in love with me.”

Sydney’s beam grows even wider while Korine gasps and then nudges me in the ribs. I’m unable to keep from grinning as I put on my most innocent, clueless face.

“What? You told me you did! Now I get to tell everybody.”

“Shout it from a mountaintop, why don’t you?”

“I would if one was nearby.”

“You two,” Sydney says, laughing. “Something tells me I’ll be at your wedding soon.”

Korine’s flushing hot to the touch, though she doesn’t object to Sydney’s prediction. I don’t get a chance to give her a hard time about it, because in the next moment, Sydney’s getting a shock of her own—Mace proposes.

He surprises Sydney when she’s seated at her table trying to swallow a bite of her birthday cake. He bends to a knee and takes her hand in his as everybody else on the patio falls into a hushed silence.

“Syd, I think everybody would agree things between us started off rough,” he says. “I couldn’t stand you. You damn sure couldn’t stand me. But there was always a draw between us. I tried like hell to resist you. I think it’s safe to say I’ve failed.”

A small ripple of laughter sounds from everybody watching.

“Probably ’cuz I saw in you something I didn’t want to admit—a woman that could stand on her own. Maybe the only woman I’ve ever met who could truly handle me. These past months together have been some of the best of my life. But it’s not enough. I don’t want you just as my old lady. I want you as my wife.”

Everybody erupts in cheers as Sydney frantically nods and throws her arms around him. He slides the ring onto her finger, and they come together again in another joyous kiss. I can’t help holding Korine just a little bit closer. A little bit tighter, more possessively.

Someday, that’ll be us. Me and my girl. When she’s ready. I’ll wait however long it takes.

“Everyone’s clapping,” Silver says from another seat at our table. He takes a swig of his beer bottle. “Everyone’s happy to celebrate ’til the marriage goes down in flames.”

Ozzie eyes the silver-haired vice prez with almost a look of amusement. “Still hurting over the divorce, eh? I’ve got some Bob Marley on deck. It’ll cheer you up.”

“Oz,” Silver grunts. “Shut the fuck up.”

Once Sydney’s accepted the proposal, the rest of the party festivities truly begin. People get up to socialize and play drinking and card games. The music blasts louder, and soon the occasion feels like it’s more than Sydney’s birthday.

It’s another night the club’s going to make the most of life.

An hour later, Korine and I are the only ones left at our table. I don’t even notice ’til I glance around and realize everybody’s migrated. Mick’s chatting up Sunny while Mace and Sydney are in their own little bubble.

Big Eddie, Bush, Stein, Moses, and a couple more guys are deep in a poker game. Ozzie’s started popping and locking on top of a table again. Silver’s drunk and flirting with an eager Sandy.

Things feel at ease… ’til somebody walks up that earns double and triple takes.

He approaches as everybody’s busy celebrating. He’s cut through the pit of rocks that separates the saloon and the Cutler household behind the bar. How he even got in through the house would be a mystery if I didn’t look up and recognize him.

And then question my sanity.

The same can be said for Mace—he’s mid conversation with Sydney, laughing and hugging up on her, when he glances over and freezes in place. The color drains from him in a way I haven’t seen happen for years.

Since his brother’s funeral.

Fitting, all things considered.

Logan waits a couple seconds for everybody’s shock to set in. For their stares to drag on as they’re speechless about how to respond.

Then he juts his chin right at Mace and says, “Got a sec? It’s time we talk.”