Page 19 of Silver Secrets

“What happened, if you don’t mind me asking?” Lily placed a hand on Courtney’s arm.

“A woman ran a red light driving her daughter to school. It wasn’t a secret in town that the family was bad news. The mom was under the influence and drove right through the intersection my brother was crossing. In an instant, he was gone.”

“Oh my god, Court. I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

She shrugged. “It’s not something I talk about a lot. I worked through it in therapy after it happened and I’m on the other side of the grief. My parents had the whole community backing them, and they continued to support us through the trial. My parents couldn’t handle being here after that, but I’ve always felt like this was home, even after he died.”

“Will your parents come visit you?”

“No, probably not. But I kind of like it that way. After Adrian died, they were suffocating me. I went to college and they’d just show up on random weekends. It was weird though. They were always so proud of me until he passed. And then it was like I could never live up to their expectations. I was mortified and constantly worried they’d pop up when I was making out with someone. I’d never live that down.”

Mae giggled. “I knew I liked you, Court.”

“I was definitely wild in college. We probably all were, weren’t we?”

“I can’t see Sloane spending time at a rave. In the antique book section of the library, with her face buried in stinky old papers, yes. Letting some frat boy suck alcohol out of her belly button, absolutely not.”

“I’m sure Sloane had a great time at college,” Lily smiled.

“Mae’s right.” Sloane shook her head. “I was very studious. And I wouldn’t change that.”

She’d been plenty wild and crazy her freshman year, but her friends didn’t need to know that. And they couldn’t know how sophomore year changed everything.

“Well, it was hell for me when my parents would pop up. And it was hell when I had to go to visit them in Colorado every time school let out.”

“Is that where they relocated to?”

“Yeah, to Boulder. I actually have to fly out there next week. It’s their anniversary andthe perfect daughterwho can never do anything right needs to be there, of course.”

“Yikes, that sounds really tough,” Lily said. “But I get it, in a way. My parents have basically disowned me. They’ve never even met Sage. We don’t talk to them at all.”

“It’s really tough when there are strains in those important relationships.”

“Oh my god, you guys! I just had the best idea. Elias should go with you, Court! Imagine bringing home one of the top foresters in the nation. Your parents would probably fall all over him.”

“How do you know he’s one of the top in the nation?”

“Ellie’s always going on about it during class.” Mae smiled. “She told me he’s working on some new industry-changing algorithm. I don’t understand that stuff at all, but I did tell Ellie that Elias should talk to Gage. Two computer nerds are better than one when it comes to that stuff, I imagine.”

“Ow, ow, ow.” Sloane’s head whipped towards Courtney as she started to limp. “Can we slow down for a minute? I think I pulled something.”

“We haven’t even gone a mile, Court. What could you have possibly pulled?” Mae laughed.

“I got injured playing rugby in college. It hates me every now and again. Apparently the hate is going to be strong today. Ouch!” Sloane watched as she winced when she put pressure on her left leg.

“You played rugby in college? What a badass! Lily, you okay if we take a break?”

“Eh, I’m good with walking for a bit,” Lily slowed, her hands going to her hips.

“Sloane?”

“Yeah, I can walk.” Truth be told, for as much mental griping as she did when she first rolled out of bed, Sloane wanted to run. She hadn’t been putting as much effort into keeping up her training, especially with leaving self-defense class early. But that needed to change. The race was a good excuse to get in some cardio.

“Alright, well, it’s a little early, but I guess now is as good a time as any!” Mae giggled as she unzipped her waist pack. “I brought a little treat to get us through.”

“Is that a flask? Oh my God, Mae, you’re incredible!” Courtney reached her hand out towards Mae and flapped her fingers like a small child seeking a treat. “Hand it over.”

Mae pulled off the top of the flask, taking a generous sip before handing it to Courtney, who sipped and sputtered, laughing as her eyes went wide. “Is that straight tequila?”

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