Page 105 of Shattered Promise

All heads turn to me—soft curiosity from Francesca, quiet interest from Cora, and Vivie grinning like this means she’s gonna get babysitting rights soon.

I clear my throat and shrug. “Not much to say, really.”

Beau huffs a laugh. “How’d you guys meet again? Something water-related, rig—oof.” He grunts, catching Eloise’s elbow as she goes in for a second round to his stomach.

Hazel lifts a brow like she’s about to press again, and I reach for my water just to give my hands something to do. Sweat gathers along the back of my neck. There’s no way he’d be needling me about this if he knew it was his sister in my shower that day.Right?

Then again, Beau’s just crazy enough to do some shit like this.

Knocking slices through the room, sharp and staccato. Everyone pauses, glancing at one another.

Hazel blinks. “Are we expecting someone?”

“No. I don’t think so,” Lucas says with a frown, already pushing up from his chair.

“I’ll get it,” Abby’s voice drifts in from the front hall.

There’s a beat, the hush stretching too long as we’re all trying to listen to see who’s at the Carters’ front door.

“Jake, good to see you, son,” Lucas says, his deep voice audible all the way in the living room.

“Did he just sayJake?” Beau asks, his voice low, brows arching high.

Oh hell no.

Every hair on the back of my neck stands up, and I’m out of my seat in the next breath. I catch the last line as I hit the hallway.

“Ran into Mrs. Carter the other day, and I realized how much I missed you all,” Jake says.

I settle in behind Abby, my hand automatically going to her lower back, letting her know I’m right here. Theo grins at me from over her shoulder, his fists tangled in her hair.

“What are you doing here, Jake?” she asks, leaning back slightly so her shoulder blades touch my chest.

“Sunday family dinner, right?” Jake grins, all smug satisfaction as he thrusts out a bouquet of flowers. “These are for you, Abs. Asters and sunflowers, right?”

I reach in front of her and snatch the bouquet from his hand. “Peonies are her favorite flowers, dipshit. Bright pink ones.”

I feel everyone’s gaze on me, but I don’t pull mine from the asshole in front of me.

He sneers at me, the side of his lip curling upward before he curbs the impulse. He smooths his face into something punchable and rocks back on his heels. “Guess I forgot.”

“Yeah, that’s not the only thing you forgot, motherfucker,” Beau drolls.

Jake sighs and drags his hand through his hair. “Come on, man. Give it a rest. It wasonedate.”

Beau stands next to me, our shoulders brushing as he folds his arms across his chest. “It was her senior prom, you dumbass.”

Lucas chuckles and claps me on the back. “Alright, why don’t I take Theo and leave you guys to sort . . . whatever this is out.” He reaches for my son, but in true Theo fashion, he doges Lucas’s outstretched hands and leans into Abby’s neck.

“It’s alright, Dad, I’ve got him,” Abby says, smoothing her hand down Theo’s back.

Lucas nods a couple of times before he turns away. “Alright, holler if you need me. But don’t take too long. Cora made some kind of ice cream sandwich thing, and I don’t think they’re gonna last long.”

Jake waits for Lucas to be out of sight before the sneer is back. “Good luck with whatever weird vegan shit she made.”

“Fuck off, Jake,” Abby snarls, leaning forward and trying to cover Theo’s ears. “That’s my sister.”

I’ve never heard her snap like that. Not at Jake. Not at anyone. The words are sharp as a slap, and for a second even Jake looks shocked. His mouth opens, then closes, the usual glib comeback stalling out somewhere behind his teeth.

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