Page 119 of Shadows of You

Grae let out a huff. “If she’s being mean to Cady, I do.”

“Roan might’ve taken Cady to dance one day and been his usual brooding self,” I told her.

Grae grinned at her brother and held out a hand for a high-five. Roan smacked her palm.

“You’re both incorrigible,” I muttered.

Katelyn’s voice raised. “She’s been lying to everyone foryears. It’s shocking that Lawson even lets Charlie go with her.”

My molars ground together, but I ignored her.

Grae started to get up, but I grabbed her arm. “Don’t,” I whispered. “She’s not worth it.”

“She shouldn’t be allowed to spew her bullshit,” Grae growled.

“It’ll only make her do it more if you say something.”

Grae’s mouth pulled down in a frown, but she nodded.

“You know, that podcast said she might have lied about the whole thing,” Katelyn said louder. “Maybe she’s the one who did it.”

I glanced at Cady to see if she could hear Katelyn, but she was happily playing with Charlie, oblivious to it all.

Roan took my hand, squeezing it. “Want me to go over there?”

I shook my head. “No, let’s just ignore her.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Katelyn’s gaze narrow on our joined hands.

“It’s sad, really, Roan ending up with her. He’s already been through so much. The whole experience must have twisted him, everyone thinkinghewas the murderer. He’s clearly unstable now. He definitely shouldn’t be around children. But it’s no surprise Aspen doesn’t care. She just sees dollar signs.”

Roan’s jaw went hard as granite. But it was more than that. There was defeat in his gaze. An acceptance that this was how some of this town would always see him.

I was on my feet before I could stop myself. Roan called my name, but I didn’t listen. I strode toward the three women on the bench.

Katelyn smiled triumphantly. “Aspen, how nice to see you.”

“Sadly, I can’t say the same. It’s funny the bullshit that streams out of your mouth because, really, the only person who’s sad here isyou. If you had a shred of decency, I’d actually feel bad for you. I’ve tried to be kind, even in the face of your ugliness. Tried to ignore you. But sometimes a bully needs to be hit with the cold, hard truth, and that’s what you are: a bully.”

I sucked in a breath. “It’s truly pathetic that the only way you seem to feel good about yourself is by putting others down—good people who have done nothing to you.”

“He’s dangerous—”

“Don’t,” I snapped. “The only reason I haven’t broken that perfect nose is because I don’t want to scare the children in this park. But if you say one more word against Roan, I will find you, and I will rectify that.”

Katelyn’s jaw dropped.

I turned to her friends. “Think about who you spend time with. Who you let yourchildrenspend time with. Her cruelty is becoming known in this town. And I, for one, wouldn’t want to be associated with it.”

“You’re the one the people in this town should be worried about. You’re probably a murderer,” Katelyn spluttered.

The other two women shared a look and then glanced at Grae, Caden, and Roan. Whatever they saw there had them rethinking their life choices. They stood and motioned to their daughters.

Redness crept up Katelyn’s neck. “Rachel. Perrin,” she hissed. “Where the hell are you going?”

The one named Perrin turned around. “She’s right. You’ve always been a bit of a bitch, but it’s been on overload lately. I know you’re bitter about your ex leaving, but pull it together.”

Katelyn went completely slack-jawed. Then she turned furious eyes on me.

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