Page 49 of Shattered Promise (Avalon Falls #4)

Then I clock Beau watching me from across the table. Not suspicious, not smug. Just a strange knowing in his gaze. Like he’s been waiting for this. Like he's already halfway to the truth.

I force myself back down into my seat. Rub a hand over my jaw, slow and tight, and try to pretend like I’m not thinking about chasing after her. Like my skin isn’t humming with the urge to get up and find her, to see if she’s okay.

Lucas, bless him, tries to fill the silence. Says something benign—weather or travel or one of those awkward dad segues that doesn’t require much. A few people nod along. Cora reaches for another dish. Francesca offers Vivie the sweet potatoes.

Then Beau clears his throat and leans forward, elbows braced on the table. “So, Mase.”

I glance up at my best friend, wondering if this is the day we end our friendship.

He’s smiling, but it’s the kind of smile that comes with a countdown clock. “Tell us about your mystery girl.”

The room stills.

Hazel perks up immediately, fork pausing halfway to her mouth.

“You’re seeing someone, honey?” Her voice is light, hopeful—but there’s an edge to it.

Like she’s trying to measure the impact before the words have even landed.

“That’s good. You know, you’re always welcome to bring her over for Sunday dinner sometime. ”

Suddenly the collar of my shirt feels too tight.

All heads turn to me—soft curiosity from Francesca, quiet interest from Cora, and Vivie grinning like this means she’s gonna get babysitting rights soon.

I clear my throat and shrug. “Not much to say, really.”

Beau huffs a laugh. “How’d you guys meet again? Something water-related, rig—oof.” He grunts, catching Eloise’s elbow as she goes in for a second round to his stomach.

Hazel lifts a brow like she’s about to press again, and I reach for my water just to give my hands something to do. Sweat gathers along the back of my neck. There’s no way he’d be needling me about this if he knew it was his sister in my shower that day. Right ?

Then again, Beau’s just crazy enough to do some shit like this.

Knocking slices through the room, sharp and staccato. Everyone pauses, glancing at one another.

Hazel blinks. “Are we expecting someone?”

“No. I don’t think so,” Lucas says with a frown, already pushing up from his chair.

“I’ll get it,” Abby’s voice drifts in from the front hall.

There’s a beat, the hush stretching too long as we’re all trying to listen to see who’s at the Carters’ front door.

“Jake, good to see you, son,” Lucas says, his deep voice audible all the way in the living room.

“Did he just say Jake ?” Beau asks, his voice low, brows arching high.

Oh hell no.

Every hair on the back of my neck stands up, and I’m out of my seat in the next breath. I catch the last line as I hit the hallway.

“Ran into Mrs. Carter the other day, and I realized how much I missed you all,” Jake says.

I settle in behind Abby, my hand automatically going to her lower back, letting her know I’m right here. Theo grins at me from over her shoulder, his fists tangled in her hair.

“What are you doing here, Jake?” she asks, leaning back slightly so her shoulder blades touch my chest.

“Sunday family dinner, right?” Jake grins, all smug satisfaction as he thrusts out a bouquet of flowers. “These are for you, Abs. Asters and sunflowers, right?”

I reach in front of her and snatch the bouquet from his hand. “Peonies are her favorite flowers, dipshit. Bright pink ones.”

I feel everyone’s gaze on me, but I don’t pull mine from the asshole in front of me.

He sneers at me, the side of his lip curling upward before he curbs the impulse. He smooths his face into something punchable and rocks back on his heels. “Guess I forgot.”

“Yeah, that’s not the only thing you forgot, motherfucker,” Beau drolls.

Jake sighs and drags his hand through his hair. “Come on, man. Give it a rest. It was one date.”

Beau stands next to me, our shoulders brushing as he folds his arms across his chest. “It was her senior prom, you dumbass.”

Lucas chuckles and claps me on the back. “Alright, why don’t I take Theo and leave you guys to sort . . . whatever this is out.” He reaches for my son, but in true Theo fashion, he doges Lucas’s outstretched hands and leans into Abby’s neck.

“It’s alright, Dad, I’ve got him,” Abby says, smoothing her hand down Theo’s back.

Lucas nods a couple of times before he turns away. “Alright, holler if you need me. But don’t take too long. Cora made some kind of ice cream sandwich thing, and I don’t think they’re gonna last long.”

Jake waits for Lucas to be out of sight before the sneer is back. “Good luck with whatever weird vegan shit she made.”

“Fuck off, Jake,” Abby snarls, leaning forward and trying to cover Theo’s ears. “That’s my sister.”

I’ve never heard her snap like that. Not at Jake. Not at anyone. The words are sharp as a slap, and for a second even Jake looks shocked. His mouth opens, then closes, the usual glib comeback stalling out somewhere behind his teeth.

Abby’s eyes are bright and wild, her jaw set.

She shifts Theo on her hip and squares her shoulders, the movement so deliberate it reads as a warning.

She’s not hiding behind anyone, not even me.

She’s standing her ground, and there’s a flicker of pride in my chest so fierce I almost don’t know what to do with it.

“Yeah, Jake, you heard my sister: Fuck. Off,” Beau says, a shit-eating grin on his face.

Jake glares at Beau. “You were always such a dick, Carter.” He slides his gaze over to me.

“You too, Porter. But it’s time to grow up.

” He runs his hands through his floppy hair again, turning his beseeching gaze to my girl.

“I thought we could be adults about this. Friends, right? Friends text each other, stop over for a visit.”

Abby shakes her head slowly, her face a mask of neutrality. “No, Jake, we’re not friends. I don’t even know if we ever were.”

There’s no inherent cruelty in her voice, but Jake recoils like she slapped him. He rocks back on one foot, and stares at her, his expression hard.

“Goodbye, Jake,” she says, her face falling into something softer. “Don’t come back here.”

She pivots away, not even glancing back to see if he’ll listen, and in the motion her hand grazes down my arm—just a brush, just a trailing of fingertips over the crook of my elbow.

There’s something electric about it, a silent thank you and a silent plea, and then she’s walking away, Theo slung on her hip, his head lolling against her shoulder like he trusts her to hold the whole world up.

I watch her go.

The air in the foyer is thick with everything unspoken—resentment, relief, the sharp tang of pride. Jake stands rooted to the spot, his jaw working as his eyes narrow.

“Lansing, fuck off,” I chirp, amusement dripping from my goddamn pores.

Then like we planned it, Beau and I take a step back, and I close the front door. Right in that asshole’s face.

“You really went hard for Abby there, huh?” Beau asks, sliding me a curious sort of grin.

I roll my shoulders back with a shrug. “I fuckin’ hate that guy. I’ve been wanting to do that for a decade, man.”

I can feel his gaze on me as we walk down the hallway, but after a few seconds he huffs a laugh.

“Yeah, I’d say he earned more than just that. But karma might have to take the reins now, ya know? At least she broke up with him for good.”

Yeah, thank God for that.