Page 175 of Never Let You Go

He’s not done with his pep talk. “You got a shit start in life, man. You deserve a woman like her.”

I chuckle. “Thanks, man, but she got better things to do than be stuck with me.”

He glances my way. “Stuck? A’right, man. Whatever.” He flicks the radio on to a country music station. After an hour I switch to rock, and that’s the extent of our disagreement.

And then we get to Emerald Creek.

The town is decorated to the nines, with balloons and twinkling lights and my name plastered on all the windows.

It’s embarrassing.

Embarrassing and great.

“Alex organized the celebration party for you. Tonight by the river,” Colton says.

I shuffle my feet. “How do you know Alexandra did this?”

He shrugs. “Kiara. You look like shit, dude,” he says as I step out the car. “Get some sleep.”

The bakery’s been closed for a few days, and it’s quiet inside the house. The exhaustion of the past few days catches up with me, and I haul my ass up to my bedroom.

I glance at the door to the hidden staircase, shove my feelings down where they can’t bother me, and get some sleep.

I wake up with a throbbing headache, take a long shower, a couple of aspirins, then drag myself to the river, guided by the sounds of the band.

This should be one of the best days of my life so far, yet I feel like shit. There’s nothing worth celebrating for me. I already know I’m the best baker in New England.

Cocky? So what.

But I’m doing this for Emerald Creek. This community always came through for me. The least I can do is give them this. I plaster a smile on my face and walk toward the sound of music drifting up from the riverbanks.

I navigate through the swarms of people who slap me on the shoulder, hug me, or take selfies with me. The band interrupts their gig for a second to announce my arrival and to remind people to use the bakery’s hashtag when posting photos of the event on their social media.

Is Alexandra still here? That’s something she would do. Uneasiness settles in my stomach. I don’t think I can bear to see her.

“There he is!” My mother’s voice startles me from my thoughts.

I narrow my eyes at the sight of the family assembled in a circle. I hug Mom first, then my half brothers, Ryan and Trevor. They’re as tall as me now, and what I saw of them in the videos is confirmed. They’re filling in. I feel out their muscles teasingly, and they reward me with huge grins.

Finally, I shake hands with my stepfather, Dean, who’s standing awkwardly to the side. “I suppose congratulations are in order,” he drops, a smirk on his face. He’s bouncing from one foot to the other, like a kid who’s been chastised. My mother must have lectured him on the way here. At least he’s making an effort.

“Thanks, yeah. And thanks for coming.”

“Oh—We had to come to pick up Skye, anyway. Your mother doesn’t like to drive long distances. Figured we’d kill two birds with one stone.”

Mom interrupts him before he puts his foot deeper in his mouth. “We thought it’d be a nice opportunity for the whole family to celebrate together. Dean, let’s go find Shannon and Dennis and let the boys catch up.”

“Dude, you rock,” Ryan says when they’re out of earshot.

“Yeah.” Trevor chuckles. “Look at this crowd, all for you.” His eyes glimmer with genuine pride and joy, and they both laugh and look admiringly at me.

Fuck, I’ve missed these little buggers.

The video calls we try to have each week now, mainly for Skye’s benefit, are no replacement for the real, physical presence. “You guys have anything lined up for the summer? I could use some help in the bakery.”

“Ohmygod that’s a great idea!” Grace exclaims. I turn around and see her and Alexandra swinging Skye between them. They crept up on me, and now I’m caught in Alexandra’s gaze boring through my core, and I want to be anywhere but here.

I focus on Skye running to me and dousing me in kisses. “I love you, Daddy. Now, Caroline can’t say you’re not the best baker in the whole wide world.”

---