Page 59 of Lush

But Noelle’s face was tight. She wasn’t lying. It was true. The raw, ugly truth that Laurene had made her decision, and I was standing here like a fool, blindsided.

“Why didn’t she tell me?”

Noelle swallowed. “I wanted you to know because…because I thought you’d want a chance to stop her. You both are meant to be together, and I know y’all didn’t do this on purpose. But I can’t change her mind.”

Laurene was leaving, and if I didn’t do something now, I’d lose her forever.

“Where is she going?”

“I’m already telling you too much that she’s leaving.”

I turned and walked away, then I started running—fast—my feet pounding on the dirt and gravel of the cemetery. I righted my bike, the engine roared as I twisted the throttle, ignoring all the stares.

“Reese!” Jennie yelled.

I sped, breaking every speed limit, the wind like a thousand tiny knives. My mind was consumed with Laurene. She claimed I was the only one for her. Yet, when things hit the fan, she betrayed me.

I gripped the handlebars tighter, teeth gritted, as memories flashed before my eyes. Late nights under the ink-black sky, her fingers tangled with mine, her breath warm against my ear as she whispered, “I love you.”

Damn it, I’d believed her. And I let myself love her.

The private airstrip came into view, its lights cutting through the evening fog.

I tore across the tarmac, skidding to a halt. I saw it—her plane, rolling forward, about to lift off. I jumped off my bike and ran.

Her face appeared in the window of the plane. She was staring right at me. For a flash, I hoped she’d stop the plane, come back for one more shot. To make things right.

But she didn’t.

She pulled down the shade, and then she was gone. Leaving me standing in the bright lights.

“No,” I said, quick and firm. “We weren’t.”

That was the truth. Noelle never told me where she went, and I never bothered to chase it down. The rumors floated around that Laurene went to Dubai, New York, or São Paulo, but the Kings didn’t talk. And Laurene disappeared from online without a trace.

Erik nodded and leaned back. “She’s lying to me.”

My grip on the cigar tightened.

“She’s got something up her sleeve now. Something’s off with her. She’s not telling me anything straight anymore.” Erik tsked. “I don’t need to tell you Dante’s changing this town. I’m watching him and I’m not as scared as Mama, but we’re vulnerable right now.Yourfamily is vulnerable.”

He leaned in.

“If you can figure out what she’s up to, tell me,” Erik said, his voice low and firm. “You protect Laurene, but she’s got something brewing—big, and I don’t know what it is. Whatever it is, it’s gonna shake things up, and not necessarily in a good way. She needs to stay focused on the company, not whatever rebellion she thinks she’s pulling against Mama.”

I swallowed, considering our predicament.

“Do you love her?” Erik demanded, but then cleared his voice at my shocked facial reaction. “Better yet, do you think you can love her?”

The question was loaded. I used to love the way Laurene looked at me when we were together. I loved how she felt against me riding on my bike. I loved the way she danced on the dance floor. I loved the way she commanded attention and respect. I loved that she chose me out of everybody in town.

But I also remembered the way things fell apart, the way I felt when she was with Conrad.

I spent years convincing myself she didn’t matter. And now? I’m one wrong move away from proving myself a liar.

“I—” I didn’t know what my feelings for her were now, but it couldn’t be love. Not yet.

“I can care about her,” I said instead. “I’ll protect her.”

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