Page 99 of Pin-up Girl

When lunch was served, most of us grabbed food and moved back to our blankets instead of sitting on the picnic benches. The weather was a hint too chilly to be in the shade, and we were all close enough to talk. Brodie returned, and Dee did as well. Elaina moved her blanket closer to ours, bringing Sylvie and Kurt with her. Sylvie was still quiet, but I was glad she’d stuck around.

Sebastian looked like he’d picked the blanket furthest from Sylvie on purpose, though he was also with Camden, which wasn’t unusual. Ravyn had joined them, and they were talking to Joystick, Eli, and Kandace.

As lunch wound down, most of us were too full and sunned out to play anymore, and a few were packing up their cars. Brodie approached Maddox, and the two of them paused to discuss something. Curious.

I was talking to Evie and Alys when I heard a shout.

“Sylvie.”

Was that Peter?

I whirled to see him walking across the grass, toward her. I stepped between them, and without any discussion, everyone who was close enough did the same.

Peter kept walking, and a few of the guys, plus Ravyn, stepped toward him.

Sebastian moved without hesitation, blocking Peter’s path before he could reach anyone else.

The thing about Sebastian was, sure he was a coding genius, but he’d also been an EMT for a few years. He had the kind of broad shoulders and muscular frame that left no doubt he could pick someone up and throw them if he had to.

“You’re not welcome here.” Sebastian’s voice was hard.

Behind me, I heard Rohde talking to someone, but couldn’t tell who.

“Move the fuck out of my way,” Peter said. “I just want to talk to my fiancée.”

Sylvie looked like she was trying to vanish behind Elaina, and Elaina was doing her best to let her.

“Ex-fiancée,” I shouted.

Peter shot me a glare.

Sebastian angled himself between us. “Leave. Now.”

“It’s Sebastian, right? I knew she was fucking you again.” Peter sneered.

I doubted Elaina and Clint appreciated the language, but I also doubted it was the first time Kurt and Dee had heard it.

“The only thing you and I have in common is that Sylvie will never do that to either of us again.”

Peter swung with a punch, but it was wide and slow.

Sebastian caught his arm easily, twisted it behind Peter’s back, and spun Peter toward the parking lot in the process.

“Fuck.” Peter screamed. “You’re going to break it.”

“Go home. Not here. Whatever rock in whatever state you came from.” Despite Sebastian’s threat being a low growl, it was impossible to miss.

A police car pulled into the parking lot. That must’ve been who Rohde was talking to. Sebastian shoved Peter in that direction, and Peter stumbled before throwing his hands up and walking away.

Things got back to normal quickly, and everyone finished packing up. Brodie and I were discussing the logistics of going back to Clint’s when Sylvie approached me.

“Can I talk to you?” Sylvie asked.

Yes. A thousand times yes. “Of course.” I was more calm than my mental reaction.

Clint squeezed my hand and Brodie kissed me on the cheek, and they both walked away.

I followed Sylvie to a nearby bench, and she sat next to me, but didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to push, but I was also anxious for whatever this was. The afternoon sun was pleasant though, so I tried to focus on that.

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