Page 100 of Beneath the Stands (Sugarlake 2)

And I’ll leave Sugarlake tomorrow, and never see him again.

I’ll let him go, finally. Because until now, I never really did.

I drove myself to Sam’s retirement party. I was tempted to skip it altogether, but it’s important for me to be here for a variety of reasons. One being that I need to talk to Lee, tell her that I’m leaving, and the other is this need to show Momma her words don’t affect me.

But I feel sick.

The rec hall’s gymnasium is nearly unrecognizable. Long, white tables line the walls, filled to the brim with trays of hors d’oeuvres and platters. There’s a bar set up in the corner, fully equipped with rows of bottles and a bartender ready to pour.

I head straight there, my mouth watering at the thought of a nice merlot, something to help me get through this night. I’m two steps away from my liquid c

ourage when an arm settles heavy on my shoulders.

“Hey, sugar, what’s a pretty thing like you doing all alone in a place like this?” Jax’s eyes flash with mirth as he grins, his shaggy blond hair tied up in his signature bun.

I smirk, rolling my eyes. “Tryin’ to find a gun to put a bullet in my head. This is tedious. You come to save me, Jax? Or you gonna let me find the good booze so I can make it through this hellhole night?” I gesture at the bar.

He laughs. “Jesus, Becs, it’s a party. Lighten up. Let’s go find Lee and then I’ll get you your drink.”

I grumble, but let him steer me through the throng of people. I see Lee first, her honey-blonde hair moving with the bob of her head as she talks. And then time slows down and my heart stutters when I see Eli standing across from her.

“Look at what the cat drug in,” Jax says as we approach them.

I’m lost in Eli’s gaze, unable to look away, trying to soak in every detail, knowing this is the last time I’ll ever see him.

His jaw twitches, his arm wrapping around Sarah’s waist, bringing her into his side. When his hand grips her hip, I feel the squeeze in my heart.

I force my eyes away, looking toward Lee. “What’s up, girl? You find the good booze yet? My chaperone over here made me come find you first.”

Lee gasps. “How dare he.”

I grin, a little bit of warmth sneaking into the cracks of my soul. “I know, right? I told him you of all people would understand. Especially in situations like these.”

I didn’t mean to say the last part, and I hope she doesn’t read into my words. Unfortunately, I’ve always had a shit poker face, and Lee’s always been too perceptive for her own damn good.

My eyes trail back to Eli before I can control myself, locking on to where he’s wrapped around his fiancée.

My gut jolts painfully and my throat burns. Suddenly, I’m desperate to explain why I left all those years ago. I ache to fix the breaks I caused from trusting the wrong woman my entire life. Apologize for believing her words when I should have listened to his. To my own.

But I’m not a homewrecker, and I made my bed years ago when it comes to him.

“Becca! Hi. Long time no see.” Sarah waves.

“Hey, Sarah. You’re lookin’ just as pretty as you were this afternoon. A true beauty. Eli’s a lucky man.” My smile is slow, having to fight through the muck of my heart before it can grace my face.

“The prodigal son returns home,” Jax snarks. His features soften as he greets Sarah. “Hi, I’m Jax. You must be the lucky lady?” He reaches out to shake her hand.

Sarah’s mouth is slightly parted, her eyes glazed as she stares at him. I bite down the chuckle that tries to escape.

Everyone who’s anyone is charmed by Jackson Rhoades. There’s just something about his aura—it reaches out and wraps around you, trying to pull you in.

“Nice to meet you,” Jax says.

Sarah shakes her head slightly, her eyes regaining their focus as she places her hand in his. “Pleasure’s all mine, and yes, I am. The lucky lady, that is.”

My heart twists.

Eli tenses, his arm dropping from her waist.

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