Page 92 of Timber's Line

“Because you need some people in your corner.” He gestures for me to get in the car.

“Are you going to kill me or something?”

Rome laughs. “No, asshole, get in the car.”

I do, and Brice follows us in his.

“Where are we going?”

“You need answers. You’re messing up, and since we all need the truth, that’s what we’re going to get. Then we are going to get your girl. I see the look in her eyes, and when you sent her that text, she fell apart. Not in front of any of us, but I heard her in the barn. I saw the sadness reflected. She loves your dumb ass.”

I am speechless.

“But she never tried talking to me.”

“She regrets that. But after your last text, she figured you lied about trying to make it right. On top of that, she believes what happened.”

We pull up to a café, and I’m puzzled.

“Just trust me.” We walk in, and Memphis is there with Oscar.

“What the hell?”

“Hear him out,” Memphis cautions.

“Why do you care? You didn’t want to believe me in the first place.”

“I will side with Timber every day of the year. She’s family.”

“Yeah? So you lie to family?”

“Watch yourself,” Memphis warns.

I can see the other patrons taking notice, but I don’t care.

“No, you say you care about her, but your whole family is lying to her. You want the truth, there, you have it. You are a liar, and yet I’m the bad guy.”

I hear a gasp behind me, and I know I just fucked up. Again.

I wheel around. “Timber.”

“Oscar? was he at the party?” she asks sadly.

“No, he wasn’t. Ethan wanted to hurt you.”

“Why?”

“Because you turned him down. Even at the party, you turned him down. That made him mad. It’s a stupid reason, and I’m sorry for intimidating you. But Dayton wasn’t there. He knew you had ties to men with money. These guys.” Oscar gestures to all of us. “He never had that and it’s one thing he always wanted. He thought he could get it through you. Such a stupid reason. He’s always wanted more but never wanted to work for it. I think the only reason he was friends with me was because I’m a spoiled rich kid. He’s creepy, and I’m not friends with him anymore. I can’t apologize enough.”

She nods and then squares off with everyone else. “Did you all know that what he said about my family was true?”

Begrudgingly, Memphis and the others nod.

“Everyone here has hurt me. You all kept something from me. I never want to talk to any of you. Dayton, I’m sorry for doubting you, but I’m done.”

She turns and walks off. Rome holds me back as I wheel around to face off with Memphis. The look he gives me is one of defeat. Pure defeat.

“Fuck me,” he mutters.