Page 75 of Rebel Hawke

It’s a fresh start for her.

One she greatly deserves after everything she’s been through.

She sighs, running a hand through her hair while everyone waits for her to explain. “I just feel like he’s keeping something from me lately. It doesn’t have anything to do with the wedding or the hotel opening.”

Angie gets up, walks over to Kennedy’s chair, and squats to wrap her arm around her. “Oh, honey, I’m sure it’s nothing. That man fucking worships you. He’s not going anywhere. If he’s hiding something, it’s probably some incredible surprise you’re going to love.”

She scowls. “I fucking hate surprises.”

Allie nods. “To be fair, we haven’t had very many good ones lately.”

Bishop shakes her head. “No, we have not.” She grabs her drink and raises it toward me. “Except Wren coming back!”

She beams at me, and the heat of a blush spreads over my cheeks.

I duck my head, embarrassed by the affection they’ve been showering on me. “Thanks, guys. It is great to be home.”

Allie reclines in her chair, apparently abandoning the card game that never got started. “Are you nervous about the opening on Monday?”

I take a sip of water and try to figure out if I should lie or answer it truthfully.

Something tells me if I tried to put one past the Hawke women, it wouldn’t go over very well.

Plus, they’re my friends.

Myonlyfriends.

If I can’t lean on them for support when I need it, then I’m going to have a very hard time here in New Orleans.

“I’m fucking terrified.” Even after spending time with the girls, knowing how much they care, it still feels weird to talk to them about something so personal and admit such a huge weakness. “I am worried that if this doesn’t succeed, I’m not going to have any way to support Gramps. He’s not going to be able to keep training Atlas for long, and I’m all the family he has left, the only one who can ensure he’s cared for.”

An uneasy quiet settles over the table, and Astrid shares a look with Bishop before turning her focus to me.

“Is he okay?”

“Who?” I look between them. “My grandfather or Atlas?”

Astrid twists her hands in front of her on the table nervously, almost like she’s afraid of what my answer might be. “Atlas. He’s been off lately, even with me.”

My chest tightens at her words and the worry in her eyes when they flick up to meet mine. She’s his other half in a veryliteral way, yet he’s shutting her out. Keeping something so incredibly important from her. Only sharing it with me.

And it isn’t my place to rat him out, no matter how badly I might want to ease her concern.

“I think he’s just nervous about the fight.”

Feasible.

She drums her fingers on the table. “That’s what I’m worried about. Atlas doesn’t get nervous.Ever.”

Bishop shrugs. “Itishis first fight back after the shooting.”

My eyes automatically drift to the wall of glass that leads out to the patio and matches the one on Atlas’ side of the condo building. That’s where the shots came from, including the one that destroyed his shoulder and broke his will.

This is where it all happened, though you’d never know it seeing the place now.

When I turn back, everyone is staring at me again. “I’m sorry…” I probably shouldn’t be asking this, shouldn’t be bringing up the elephant in the room, but Bishop opened the door with her comment, and now that it’s there, I need to step through it, to try to understand. “Was it as bad as I think it was?”

Allie, Kennedy, and Astrid share a look, and in unison, they all nod emphatically.

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