Page 19 of When We Break

“Connor.” I step aside so my brother can offer his hand to shake. “Skyla’s brother.”

Beckett takes Connor’s hand, but his jaw is tight. “You the reason my sister looks like she’s ready to punch her fist through the wall?”

“It’s likely.”

What in the world?

“Do I need to punchyou?” Beckett asks.

“I appreciate the sentiment because I’d feel the same in your shoes, but no.”

Beckett nods, and his eyes fall to mine. “Skyla.”

“Beckett.”

And with that, he turns to follow Bee.

“What did you do?” I ask, immediately turning to my brother and poking him in the chest, making him scowl at me. “Wait. I know what you did. I’ve heard stories.”

“Really? Do tell.” His lips curl up into a satisfied grin, and I shake my head.

“Absolutely not because now I know they’re aboutyou.” Ugh. That makes me a little nauseous. “If you fucked up my friendship with that woman, I’ll never forgive you, Connor Declan Gallagher. She’s a good person, and she’s been kind to me, and I care about her deeply.”

“Nothing’s fucked up,” he assures me. “Well, between you two, anyway.”

“I can’t believe you.”

Connor shakes his head, seemingly unfazed by my wrath. “Go finish up with the parents so we can get out of here.”

“You can go. I have Riley.”

“And I have a security detail with weapons. That trumps Riley. I’ll wait.”

I blow out a breath, then return to mingle with the remaining parents.

No, this was definitely not a boring recital night.

* * *

“Have a good flight.” I hug Connor, then wave to Miller, who’s standing by the open back door of the black SUV waiting to take my brother to the airport.

He scratches Riley behind the ears, then grabs his briefcase. Connor usually wears slacks and a button-down, if not a whole suit, but he’s in jeans and a T-shirt today, which throws me off a bit.

“Why are you so casual, by the way?”

He lifts an eyebrow. “It’s a flight, not a board meeting.”

“You usually wear clothes that would fit a board meeting.”

He smirks. “Because I’m usually coming from one. Today’s casual.”

“And youareleaving town, right? You’re not off to whisk my best friend off for some…I can’t even complete that sentence.”

“I’m leaving.” He narrows his eyes. “And the rest is none of your concern, Skyla Maeve Gallagher.”

“She’s—”

“None of your business. I mean it.”

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