Page 82 of Where We Burn

“I’d love that. So will Preston.”

His whole face lights up, the way it used to when we were kids and I’d ask if he wanted to ride in the truck bed or sneak pie before dinner.

“How is the old guy?”

“Pretty sure he still thinks retirement is a dirty word.”

“And Ivy?”

“Still riding his ass like always, but I think he’d be lost if she stopped.”

We both laugh as I tip my beer back, and Colt leans in close, lowering his voice to something that’s just between us.

“Good to see you happy, big brother,” he says, eyes flicking toward Piper. “I know it’s complicated… but she’s beautiful.”

Piper isn’t just beautiful. She’s otherworldly, a goddamn supernova that’s burned away all the shadows in my life and left me standing in the light… And the best part is she’s mine.

Chapter 25

Christian

I can handle this.I was fifteen once—yeah, it was a lifetime ago, and I’d just lost my mom, but I remember the stupid shit I pulled. Thing is, this goes way beyond typical teenage bullshit. What Travis did could’ve destroyed a man’s whole life if I didn’t know Preston well enough to see through my kid’s mountain of lies.

What my son pulled is next-level cruel. But I’m trying to handle this the way my old man taught me—you mess up, you get your ass handed to you by your father, you apologize, and that’s how the world keeps spinning. At least, that’s what I’m praying works here, because I’m running out of ways to reach this kid.

Driving up to Silverpine wasn’t exactly how I planned to spend my Saturday afternoon, but here I am, staring at Meredith Beauford’s front door like it might grow a set of teeth and bite me.

She answers the door, already looking like I’m the last person she wants to see.

“He doesn’t want to speak with you,” she snaps.

“Yeah? Well, I really don’t give a shit, Meredith,” I say, my jaw tight. “Now, either let me in or drag Travis out here. Your call. But one way or another, this conversation’s happening.”

She steps forward like she’s ready to square up, a long red nail jabbing the air between us as she tucks a blonde strand of hair behind her ear.

“You’re lucky I haven’t called the cops on your friend,” she spits.

Preston’s more like a father to me than a friend, but I don’t tell her that. I don’t give her anything she could twist because that’s what Meredith does. She digs up whatever matters to you and finds a way to ruin it.

“For what? Stopping him from torching my fucking farm?” I bark out a laugh. “Don’t make threats that’ll never stick, sweetheart.”

“Oh, he’d never do that,” she sneers. “But that old bastard has never liked Travis, and when he finally got him alone, he decided to take his frustrations out on him.”

“You’re right, Preston’s never liked him.” I lean in, dropping my voice. “But that might have something to do with you raising a goddamn brat, Meredith.”

“Don’t you dare talk about our son like that.” Her face flushes red, enough to match those talons she calls nails.

“Our son? Right. So he’s ours when it suits you… Got it.”

For fifteen years, it’s been “my son” when she wanted to keep him away from me, and “our son” when she needed someone to blame for his behavior.

Suddenly, Travis materializes beside Meredith like some teenage ghost, and even at fifteen, he’s already towering over her. Guess he got my height, if nothing else of mine stuck.

“Dad,” he says, holding his face still like he’s not rattled, but I catch that flash of fear in his eyes before he quickly locks it down.

“I think we need a conversation, son.”

“Whatever he said, he’s lying.”