Page 27 of In the Dust

I stand up on shaky legs, trying to get in between them. But I’m stumbling around, too upset to think. “You cheated!” I shout.

Brad looks at me, then to his phone in my hand. Then he slides his palm across his face. “Dixie, listen—”

Colton snarls, “She has nothing to say to you.”

Brad shakes his head. “She’s my girl …” Brad focuses on him more than me, which pisses me off.

I stalk a little closer, but Colton’s fist colliding with Brad’s jaw makes me stagger back. “Colton!” I shout, and although Brad deserves it, I don’t want to see anyone getting hurt.

Jackson is up and over to us in a flash, sober as a whistle. “Break it up,” he tells the guys, walking over to Brad to get him up. “I’m taking you to your rental.”

Brad tries to protest, but he’s sloppy, and the punch he received didn’t help. “Dixie, can I talk to you?”

I shake my head, gesturing for Harper to help get him the hell away from me. “Just go, Brad.” I slur. “This is over.”

Heavy tears stream down my face as the three of them crest the hill, leaving me and Colton behind with the massive, roaring fire.

“I’m so stupid.” I collapse onto the blanket, and Colton slides in beside me, giving me a shoulder to sob on.

“You’re not stupid, Dix.” He brushes his knuckles under my chin. “You were trying to force yourself together with a puzzle piece that didn’t fit.”

I push my fist against his chest. “Why do you always know what to say?”

Through the tears, I note his eyes roaming my face. “Because I know you.”

And in a moment of sadness, I lean in…

And kiss him.

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