Page 26 of The Light We Lost

“Your what?” Brooks gritted out.

I rolled my eyes and couldn’t help but laugh along with Jake. Somehow I’d managed to get stuck with the town’s biggest gossip as my best friend. “Alright, cool your shit.” I grinned at the sight of red creeping up Brooks’s neck. I’d already planned on telling him, so I might as well have some fun with it. “You’ve got a wife. I’ve got a wife. What’s the big deal? We can go on double dates—”

His jaw clenched, and when it was clear he was a tiny nudge away from full-blown mama-bear mode, I told him the truth. Not stopping even when Shay stepped into the kitchen, her eyes widening with every word.

“There, now you know everything.” I set my arms on the countertop, leaning against the kitchen island. “And as you can see, it’s not a big deal. We’re getting divorced, but as far as anyone outside this room is concerned, we already did.” I shot Jake a glance, making sure that was understood. I didn’t care if he’d leaked the news tonight, but Indy had asked me not to tell anyone. And after she’d rushed me out of her parents’ diner, it was obvious who she was hiding this from. That was fine.

I wouldn’t pretend I hadn’t earned my spot as her dirty little secret.

“You’re playing with fire.” Brooks’s arms were tense at his side, his voice deep with concern. “There’s no way you don’t get burned.”

I didn’t respond, not bothering to agree or disagree with him. He looked inclined to protest, but before he could, Shay asked, “What’s your wife’s name again? Indy?”

I paused at that. It was the first time in years Indy had been referred to as my wife in a way that wasn’t meant as a joke or a dig. “Yeah.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Indy Tyler. Her folks are Lila and Seth.”

She made a squeaking noise, her cheeks turning the same shade as the pink in her hair. Before I could think more on that, I checked the clock again. “Alright. I’m going to go.”

Brooks scuffed his boot against the floor, seeming to hesitate before he admitted, “I really don’t think going to the bar is a good idea.”

I groaned, feeling like a broken record. “I’m not going to drink.”

He looked ready to give me his unwanted opinion, but Jake beat him to it. “I have to agree. I don’t think it’s a good idea either.”

“What?” I scoffed, wishing I’d never left Winnie in the living room.Babies are way cooler and talk less.“You’re the one who guilted me into doing this in the first place.”

He hadn’t. And based on the look Jake gave me, he knew he hadn’t either. “I’m not talking about youfixingthings with Indy. I’m talking about you taking her to that bar. Why the hell would you want to take Indy on a date there?”

“It’s not a date,” I said, even though I’d already told him that when I shared the plan with him this morning. “And you know exactly the crowd that hangs out there. That’s why we’re going.”

Plus, I needed to talk to Heath about buying the bar. Once he read Dad’s letter and saw I not only had his blessing, but the money, there was no way he wouldn’t sell it to me. I hoped.

Jake pressed his lips together, and I thought a miracle might happen and he’d stay quiet. But I should’ve known better than that. “I think you need to remember there’s a whole lot more than just you that kept Indy away all these years. You might as well throw her to the wolves.”

I hesitated at the door. Was I? Despite what she might believe, I didn’t want to hurt her. And no matter how she might’ve tried to hide it before, I knew this town’s words had done some damage.

I waved the thought off and stepped out the door, reminding myself what this was. Indy had asked me to repair her reputation. I wasn’t throwing her to the wolves.

Even if I was, Indy could handle her own. She didn’t need me.

I’d always been the one who needed her.

Chapter Twelve

Indy—Now

Icracked open the bathroom door and peeked through the gap, my stomach dropping as I failed to find Nolan. I checked my phone again, feeling like an idiot. We’d barely made our arrangement yesterday, so it was a surprise when he’d texted this morning and asked me to meet him at the bar tonight. I’d almost shot him down and asked how he’d gotten my number, but I resisted. Ye Olde Trusty Tavern was the last place I had in mind to repair my reputation, but I’d agreed to meet with him anyway. At least he was sticking to our agreement. Wanting to show him I was as serious as he was, I’d shown up at seven, exactly like he asked.

Except now it was seven thirty.

I closed the door and leaned against it, as though that could keep the tune of “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” on the other side. This was a new low for me. This wasn’t even a date, and I’d been stood up. I was hiding in a bathroom that reeked of Taco Bell. I cursed under my breath. To hell with Nolan and his help. I’d bet he was at home, drinking a beer as he pictured me making a fool of myself.

This was the last time he’d ever make a fool of me.

Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I opened the bathroom door, ready to run. Keeping my head low, I only managed two steps before I walked into asolid surface. I stumbled, and a hand caught my waist. “There you are.” Nolan steadied me on my feet. “I thought you ran out on me again.”

“Me?” He had some damn nerve. “You’re the one who’s half an hour late.”

“I was waiting in the parking lot. Figured we’d walk in together.” His gaze flickered behind me, and his grin grew. “You know”—his hand curled around my hip—“if you wanted to make out with me in the bathroom, all you had to do was ask.”

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