Page 27 of The Betrayal You Serve

"Can't argue with that."

By the time we pull up into the oceanfront lot, I'm feeling better than I was when I first saw her.

"We can go inside. I'll be okay."

"Are you sure? I don't mind having a car picnic if you don't want to do people."

"No, it's okay. A burger in the car wouldn't be the same."

"True. Come on then."

Together we walk from the end of the lot and toward Aces. This little diner is the best thing about Rosewood. I have some fantastic memories of hanging out here with Luca, Leon and the rest of our school friends back in the day.

I sigh, images of the years gone by playing out in my mind as Harley leads us to a booth in the back so we can hide away.

"You sure you're okay?" she asks, clearly hearing my loud sigh.

"Yeah, I'm good. This place just brings back so many memories."

We take a seat not a second before Bill comes rushing over with a wide smile on his face wanting to know everything about MKU and how I'm doing. The man knows everything there is to know in this town. Fuck knows how but he does. He also knows exactly what not to say, evidenced by the fact he doesn't so much as mention Columbia, for which I'm grateful.

We give him our orders, of which he'd already guessed because all the kids here order the same thing, and he rushes back to his kitchen almost as fast as he arrived.

"So… how's Kyle?" I ask, more than willing to focus on the younger Legend brother for a few minutes before the inevitable questions come from Harley.

Her eyes soften and a smile starts to play on her lips as she thinks of him. The sight makes my heart ache but I'm so happy for her. They both deserve some happiness after everything they went through.

"He's really good."

"I can tell by the look on your face," I point out, making her entire face heat. "Where is he? I thought you were practically living together these days."

"He's got Ash and the boys around. Strategizing and watching old games or something. I spent the day with Ruby before heading home thinking Mom would be there."

"Where is she?"

"I have no idea. She's being a bit elusive. I think she's got a man."

My heart sinks as I remember Dad's words last week about always loving Mom. If she's seeing someone else, even after all these years, it'll kill him.

"Have you seen Dad?" I ask, mostly assuming she hasn't.

"We were going to go yesterday but he said he was busy. I haven't seen him in ages."

"I saw him last week. He's good," I say, hoping to stop her worrying.

"Oh? Did you go back with Kane?"

All the air rushes out of my lungs at her mention of his name.

"So this little trip home has everything to do with him then, I'm assuming." She raises her brow at me and sits back to continue staring at me. "Out with it, Sista!"

I want to laugh at her attitude but I can't find it in me.

"It's a mess," I admit, resting my elbows on the red table before me and dropping my head into my hands.

"I wouldn't have expected anything else with you two. So…"

"I thought it was real," I whisper, not really wanting to say the words out loud. "I'd told him everything and he… he said all the right things, did all the right things. I thought him knowing and accepting the truth meant things were finally going to turn around…"