Page 107 of Forgotten Pieces

Trace sighs. “How much time can you give me to find a replacement? With the new baby on the way, I can’t be here as often.”

The thought of Ivy and Trace having another kid stabs me in the chest. “Not long. I’ll finish today.”

“That’s it?” he says surprised.

“You told me when I got here you couldn’t deal with brokenhearted bartenders.”

Trace stops wiping down glasses. “Son of a bitch. Don’t tell me what I’m guessing to be true.”

“You know me.” I shrug. “Troublemaker.”

“Fuck Tacoma. Of all the people in this town, you had to find one who was taken.” He sets the glass he is holding down. “Of all people, why Ryder? Why some stranger who just moved back into town?”

“He wasn’t a stranger to me,” I whisper as I continue to wipe down the same menu.

Trace’s eyes shine as he puts two and two together. “There was something goin’ on with y’all eight years ago?”

I nod.

“Easton always thought something happened. By the way you were so broken when Ryder left town. He just never knew what to say or do about it.”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Trace,” I manage to get out without crying. The tears didn’t want to fall earlier but now they are ready to break the dam.

“Okay. Can you at least work the afternoon tomorrow?” he asks.

“That’s fine,” I say back meekly.

“I’ll let you off at two. I can get Johnnie to come in then.”

“Thank you.”

He nods and picks up the glasses again. “Let me know how that talk goes with Easton.”

I roll my eyes at him. Silently thanking him for keeping my tears at bay.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Eight Years Ago

Tacoma

I wait patiently by our lake after graduation. He told me yesterday he would be here. I wish I could have talked to him at the ceremony. I wish we could just come out into the open and let all of this be free. No more secrets.

The sky turns from blue to orange and purple. He was supposed to be here over an hour ago. I try to think of a million reasons why he could be late. Why he wouldn’t be here. But my heart won’t let me.

I hear the crunch of leaves as someone walks down the trail. My heart skips a beat, anticipating his smiling face, his dark eyes that speak to my soul, the way my name rolls off his lips.

But when I see the person who walks into the clearing, it’s Laney.

I fight back the tears.

Because what is happening can’t be true.

She knew he was supposed to be here tonight.

She knew this was our place.

She can’t be here.

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