My limbs are trembling, and my palms are sweating. I think I’m going to be sick. “It’s not like that!”
“Oh, yeah? Then explain it to me,” she bites out. “Explain how youaren’tstabbing me in the back like a piece-of-shit brother.”
“Watch it!” Finn roars, garnering the attention of people around us. “You don’t fuckin’ talk to him like that.”
Her gaze snaps to him, fury painting her features. “Who the fuck do you think you are, shouting at me like that? He’s my brother, and I’ll talk to him however I please.”
“No, the fuck you won’t.” Finn takes a calculated step toward her, but before he can say anything else, Gentry jogs over.
“What’s goin’ on over here?” he asks, flicking his gaze between the three of us. I want to disappear, to crawl into a hole and hide. This is so fucking embarrassing.
I wince as Violet huffs out a laugh. “What’s going on,” she starts, “is yoursonand hisnannyare getting real fucking cozy.”
Gentry’s thick, dark brows furrow. “Ma’am, respectfully, what the hell are you talkin’ ’bout?”
Silently, I beg the universe or whatever god there is to keep her from answering that question. To have her drop it and leave instead. But of course, why would it be that easy?
“I’m talking about your son apparently fucking my brother.”
I knew it was coming, but hearing it come out of her mouth punches all the air from my lungs. My hand comes up, covering my mouth as I watch Gentry turn and look at his son, clearly caught off guard. A tense, uncomfortable moment passes between them before he returns his gaze to my sister.
“Alright, I think it’s ’bout time you leave,” he mutters.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. It’s time to call it a night and go home.”
Violet scoffs loudly, folding her arms over her chest. “You can’t do that.”
“Like hell I can’t,” Gentry bites out. “This is my goddamn property. Look, I’m sorry your feelings were hurt tonight, but I won’t tolerate you causin’ a scene and talkin’ to either of them that way. This ain’t the time nor place for this conversation. Now, I suggest ya leave before you embarrass yourself any more than you already have.”
My jaw hangs open as I listen to the giant, intimidating rancher stand up for not only his son, but me too.
Violet juts her chin out and narrows her gaze on him. “I’ve been drinking,” she mutters. “You really going to let a woman drive home under the influence?”
“No worries, darlin’,” Hollis cuts in, sauntering over from who knows where. “I’ll drive you home.”
Face screwed up, she glowers at him. “You absolutely will do no such thing.”
Hollis smirks, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Either that, or you can walk. Choice is on you, but you won’t be stayin’ here, so I suggest you make up your mind.”
My chest is tight as I attempt to fill my lungs with oxygen. This wasn’t how I was supposed to tell her. Head swimming and skin tingling, I spin on my heels and walk away, not waiting to hear what she decides. My heart hammers against my ribs, the thunderous beat reverberating through my whole body, and no amount of clutching my chest or deep breathing helps. I fold at the waist, hands going to my knees as the world spins. Footsteps pound behind me, the sound of leaves crunching somehow reaching my ears over the whooshing flooding my head.
A steady hand presses down on my shoulder, and I don’t have to look behind me to know it’s Finn. “Hey, breathe, baby.” His other hand comes up, rubbing soothing circles along my back. “It’s goin’ to be okay.”
No, I don’t think it is.
As if Violet catching us like this wasn’t bad enough, she outed Finn in front of everyone here. The minute she came over and raised her voice, everybody who was dancing stopped and came over to witness her out him. She had no right to do that, but she didn’t even hesitate, and now everyone knows. His family, the town folks who are still here, Tucker… Oh, god.
I stand up and spin, scanning the people surrounding us. Nausea churns in my gut. I will never forgive her—or myself—if Tucker finds out this way. “Where’s T-Tucker?” I ask, feeling like all my air is getting trapped in my throat.
“He’s not out here,” Finn assures me. Taking a step closer, he cups my cheek with his calloused palm. “I don’t see Tripp either, so I’m guessin’ Tripp took him somewhere when all the commotion started.” His green eyes hold mine as he adds, “He didn’t hear her.”
It’s like he somehow knows exactly where my mind went. I let out a breath I’d been holding as I nod. None of this is okay, but at least Tucker wasn’t a witness to the trainwreck. Chancing a look back over at the crowd, I notice Violet is missing, as is Hollis, meaning she must’ve agreed to let him take her home. I should’ve tried to talk to her more before she left, should’ve tried harder, but if I know anything about Violet, she wouldn’t hear a thing I said tonight. When she’s pissed off, nothing anyone says will make any difference. It would be better for both of us if I give her space and let her cool down before I try, even if that goes against every fiber of my being.
“Let’s get you home,” Finn offers, his voice gruff but quiet.
“But the party…”
