Page 73 of Come Break My Heart Again

It’s been a long time since I was jealous.

Seven years, to be exact.

“I don’t hate it,” I say. “Let’s go.” I stride toward my convertible without waiting for any more discussion. All of a sudden, Ireallywant a drink.

Resentment bubbles beneath my skin. It’s so fucking unfair that hestillaffects me this much. Time is supposed to heal wounds.

Juliet and Avery follow me. Keira, Tucker, Ryder, and Ophelia all climb into the Parkers’ SUV that stays on the island year-round.

I catch Juliet glancing at me a few times as I drive toward the small downtown section, but she doesn’t bring up Ryder. IfJuliet’snoticed I’m acting strangely around him, it’s a bad sign. I adore her, but she has a tendency to be more focused on her own drama than anyone else’s.

Downtown is just as scenic as it was a few hours ago. The brick sidewalks are lined with benches and buildings covered with white clapboard, decorated with American flags and boxes of colorful flowers. The bar we’re headed to is down by the pierthe ferry runs from, next to a popular seafood restaurant with a line that’s spilling outside.

I find a spot on the street and park, rubbing my arms once I step outside my car. The temperature is dropping rapidly now that the sun is starting to set.

Juliet slings an arm over my shoulders as we crunch across the gravel parking lot that leads to the bar. It’s already full of cars.

“You good?” she asks low enough for only me to hear.

“Of course!” My voice sounds good. Cheerful and unbothered.

There’s something so miserable about acting happy when you’re secretly struggling. So lonely and isolating. But I don’t know what else to say. If time didn’t work, I’m going to have to fake indifference toward Ryder until I actually feel it.

“Good.” Juliet squeezes me, then drops her arm and slaps my left butt cheek. “Let’s show the locals what they’re missing, living on an island.”

I shake my head as she skips ahead.

“She’s a handful, huh?” Avery asks, catching up to me.

“She sure is,” I say affectionately.

“Oh, there’s everyone else.”

I follow Avery’s attention to the approaching group. Tucker and Keira are in front, holding hands. Ryder and Ophelia are a few steps behind, deep in conversation.

“I think Ophelia has a crush,” Avery whispers conspiratorially. “I mean, good for her. He’shot.” She giggles.

I force my frozen facial muscles to smile in case she looks over.

“Where’s Juliet?” Keira asks, reaching us.

“Probably a few shots deep by now,” I reply.

Keira rolls her eyes. “Right. Well, let’s head in.”

I stick to the front of the group, passing the tables in the roped-off section outside the bar and then heading inside. The bar is casual yet upscale, most of the interior reclaimed wood weathered to light gray. Starfish prints decorate the walls. A long bar top stretches the full length of the space, endless rows of glasses and expensive liquor behind it. It’s packed inside, just like the full lot suggested.

“There’s Juliet,” I say, spotting her talking with two guys by one of the tall tables spread throughout the space. She waves. “I’m going to grab a drink,” I tell Keira.

“Okay,” she replies. “I’ll go check in with Juliet. Maybe she’s trying to get that table. We can take shifts, hanging on to it.”

“Sounds good,” I respond, then push my way toward the bar.

I just need … a minute. And a strong drink.

I barely adjusted to Ryder being here, and now, he’s flirting with a girl he met less than twelve hours ago.

He has every right to. He was in prison for seven years, for fuck’s sake. Getting drunk and getting laid are probably his two main priorities right now.

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