Page 115 of Come Break My Heart Again

“I was not going to those parties for Keira!” Tuck exclaims.

“Oh. That’s worse,” Reese says. “Definitely don’t mention it at your wedding then.”

Tuck groans. “Ryder?”

“Yeah, yeah.” I stand and stretch, then give Reese a hug. “Thanks for the beer. And the talk. Let’s do it again soon.”

“Absolutely.” Reese ruffles my hair, then points at Tuck. “My shower is still leaking.”

“I’ll send a guy,” he tells her. “Promise.”

“Last guy you sent made it worse.”

“It was free plumbing, Reese. But—” He obviously catches a glimpse of the look on Reese’s face. “I will send my best guy to work on it this week. Promise.”

She nods. “Thank you. Knox is worried the kids at camp will make fun of him for smelling.”

My heart sinks. I remember those days as a kid. Waiting for the comments about the holes in my sneakers or the empty space in my lunch box. Kids are cruel.

Tuck’s expression is serious as he surveys Reese. I didn’t know him until high school, but he probably had some of those same experiences. “I swear I’ll take care of it.”

“Lighten up, guys,” Reese says, noticing our faces. “I was just kidding.”

She wasn’t though, and we all know it.

Tucker is marrying into one of the wealthiest families in Fernwood. His kids will never be the outsiders.

Reese’s son wasn’t as lucky. If KnoxisPhoenix’s kid, I hate him for abandoning his kid a hell of a lot more than I resent him for hanging me out to dry with the cops. Growing up without a dad sucks.

“You guys will be there next weekend? Right?”

Reese sucks her bottom lip into her mouth, toeing a weed in the grass. “I’m not sure …”

“It will be fun, I swear. Knox will love the ferry.”

“They’reOnes, Tuck.”

“We’re too old for that shit, Reese. She’s my fiancée. Everyone will be welcoming.”

I glance between the two of them. “What are we talking about?”

Tuck’s exhale sounds exasperated. “The Fourth of July. Keira and I are hosting at her parents’ place on Martha’s Vineyard.” He looks at Reese. “It won’t all be Ones. Ryder will be there.”

“Maybe I have plans,” I say.

Tuck’s snort is offensive. He could at least pretend to believe I have a life.

“Maybe my boss is making me work.”

He rolls his eyes. “You have the day off.”

I don’t ask what I really want to know.Will Elle be there? Will her boyfriend?I didn’t make it twenty minutes around them without making a comment I should have kept to myself. A whole day—a whole weekend—sounds like a terrible idea.

“If Ryder’s going, I’m in,” Reese decides.

Damn it.

“Okay, yeah. I’ll be there,” I say.

---