Page 114 of Win Big

He thinks this is about Dad.

Lacey appears, concern etched on her face. She flies toward me, seeing my tears. “What? What’s happening?” She sets her hands on my shoulders.

I lean into her and she wraps her arms around me. “I’m sad.”

“I see that.” She hugs me, swaying back and forth for a moment. “Come in. Sit.”

Thankfully, Théo disappears. Although I guess it doesn’t matter anymore if everyone knows my sordid past. I’ve tried so hard to be what I’m supposed to be, to make Mom and Dad proud of me, but in the end, it doesn’t really matter. I can only be who I am. An anxious, neurotic perfectionist. And if that’s not good enough—for Wyatt, or for any of my family—too damn bad.

Lacey sits me on the couch, brings me tequila, and lets me talk. She already knows how I feel about Wyatt. I spill the story of what just happened. How I thought I was being brave and living my life on my own terms, telling the truth about my past and how it’s affected me, and being honest about my feelings.

I should have known better. I do something spontaneous and instinctive and what happens? I get kicked in the teeth.

“So youdidn’ttell him you love him?” Lacey’s eyebrows elevate.

“Um. No. I guess I didn’t. He started going on about Heather.”

“Who’s Heather?”

“Oh hell. I didn’t tell you about Heather. And Owen. Oh my God, it’s the saddest story.” I start crying again.

Lacey hands me the box of Kleenex.

“I don’t know if I should tell you.” I pluck a tissue and wipe my eyes then blow my nose. “Nobody knows about Heather and Owen.”

Lacey cringes. “You said it wasn’t his son.”

“No, no.” I wave a hand. “Owen’s not his son. That’s true. Wyatt’s best friend, Hank, was Owen’s father. He died... in a snowboarding accident. He and Wyatt were snowboarding.”

“Oh no.” I can see Lacey’s mind leaping ahead.

“Yes. There was an avalanche. Wyatt tried to save his friend, but he c-couldn’t.” I draw in a steadying breath. “He was devastated, Lacey. Absolutely broken about it. It’s why he asked to be traded here, because Heather and Owen are here, and he can look after them.”

“Oh my God.”

I tell her the rest, about Heather’s feelings for Wyatt, and Wyatt’s guilt.

Lacey flops back into the couch cushions and stares at the ceiling. “Holy shark testicles.”

My mouth falls open, I gape at her, and then I too fall back into the cushions, laughing helplessly. “Jesus, Lacey!”

We roll our heads on the cushions to look at each other, then laugh more, although mine is taking on a hysterical edge. She reaches for my hand and clasps it. “This is a catastrofuck.”

I laugh again. “Yes.” Then I sober. “I’m also really worried about my dad.”

“I know.” She squeezes my hand. “And then this on top of that. No wonder you’re a mess.”

“Iama mess, aren’t I?” I sigh. “I’ve tried not to be. But inside I always have been. Cool as a cucumber on the outside; inside, a squirrel on meth.”

She chokes on a laugh. “Oh, Everly. You’re a beautiful, kind, generous mess.”

I sniff. “Thank you.” I pause. “What am I going to do?”

“I don’t know, honestly.” She sinks her teeth into her bottom lip. “Maybe we need to sleep on it? Want to stay here tonight?”

I nod.

“The guest room’s ready.”

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