Holt stalked across the barn toward his fiancée. He bent and took her mouth in a scorching kiss. “Old, huh?”
Her cheeks flushed. “You do have some perks.”
I turned away, feeling like a voyeur. But it was more. It wasn’t jealousy exactly. More like want. Desire to build a family with someone and create what I’d never had growing up.
A little flicker of guilt flared to life as I thought of my mother’s unanswered texts and calls. I’d sent an email telling her I’d landed a job out west. She hadn’t been pleased. But for once, I was simply silencing that noise.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out.
Emerson
Please think about coming home.
I’d finally bitten the bullet this morning and told my brother what was going on here. He’d hit the roof, insisting I get on the next plane to Chicago. I’d calmly told him that I wasn’t going anywhere, and he hadn’t been pleased.
I started to type out a response when another text came in.
Luke
Can you come to the school? I need you.
My stomach plummeted, and I whirled to face Holt and Wren. “I’m so sorry. I have to go.”
Holt was instantly on alert. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m not sure. Luke just said he needs help at school.” I was already grabbing for the keys I’d left on the bench.
“We’ll follow you down. I don’t think you should be going anywhere alone right now,” Holt said.
I stilled. “Lawson asked you to check up on me.”
Wren let out a snort as she pushed to her feet, Shadow following her. “Of course, he did. Told you. Protective. And it gets annoying. Most of the time, it’s better to just go with it.”
I muttered something under my breath but started jogging toward the SUV. I beeped the locks and hopped behind the wheel. If Holt wanted to follow me, fine. But I wasn’t waiting around.
My heart hammered as I made the mountain turns toward town. I did the drive in half the time I normally did, screeching to a halt right next to a familiar police SUV.
Lawson frowned at me as I got out of my vehicle.
“Did Luke text you?” I asked, rounding to him.
That frown turned into a scowl. “No. The school called to tell me he got into a fight with some other boys.”
My mouth fell open. “A fight?”
Lawson nodded, his jaw tightening. “A fight. Not his first scuffle, but if the principal’s calling me in, this one’s worse.”
Panic flashed through me. “Is he okay? Hurt?”
“The secretary didn’t say he was injured in any way.”
The air left my lungs in a whoosh. Thank God for that.
Lawson’s jaw worked back and forth. “Luke texted you?”
“He said he needed me.”
Lawson muttered a curse. “Playing you. Trying to play me.”
